§ 25. Mr. Beechmanasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can now give a favourable reply to the request submitted to him, on the occasion of his recent visit to the Isles of Scilly, by the West Cornwall Fishermen's Council that the association of inshore fishermen with the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve be facilitated by the payment to them of a small retaining fee; and whether, in general, he will consider the serious position arising from the decline in recent years of the inshore fishing industry, seeing that the fishermen concerned are, in the event of war, essential for manning minesweepers, Q-ships and similar craft?
Mr. CooperWhile I fully appreciate the considerations advanced by the hon. Member in the latter part of his question. 1563 I would point out that inshore fishermen are already eligible to join the Royal Naval Reserve, service in which carries a retainer of £6— £10 per annum according to the rating held. A reply to this effect is being sent to the West Cornwall Fishermen's Council.