§ 84 and 85. Mr. Garro Jonesasked the Minister of Agriculture (1) whether he is aware that white fish landed in March fetched an average of only 14s. 4d. per cwt. for the producers; that the price is 25 per cent. below the corresponding pre-War average while the price of coal and stores is substantially higher, and that these two factors are together threatening the livelihood of those engaged in the industry, bringing ruin to skippers and mates in ports where pay is dependent on profits, driving valuable trained fishermen to seek other occupation and causing serious neglect of the condition of the trawlers in all, except one, ports; and whether he is in a position to announce any legislative or other measures to meet this situation;
(2) whether he has observed the serious damage which is being imposed on Aberdeen, Fleetwood, Milford Haven, and other fishing ports by the heavy landings of distant water fish at Hull; that this class of fish is depreciating the prices earned on the port markets, not only for landings from distant fishing grounds but for fish caught in home waters as well, for which uneconomic prices of only 1½d. per lb. are now being received with no advantage in price reaching the consumer; and whether he has under consideration any proposals to meet a situation which threatens the existence of at least five important fishing ports and the livelihood of those dependent on the industry?
§ Mr. RamsbothamMy right hon. Friend is aware of the difficulties confronting the trawling industry as a result of recent developments, but has nothing to add to the reply given yesterday by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland to my hon. Friend the Member for South Aberdeen (Sir D. Thomson).