61. Mr. De la Bèreasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can give some information as to the extent to which the landings by larger vessels of the trawling fleet have had to be regulated?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithA voluntary scheme for regulating landings by the distant-water fishing fleets of Hull and Grimsby was put into operation as an emergency measure at the beginning of 1938. I understand that under the scheme about 20 per cent. of the distant-water fishing vessels of the two ports have been laid up, and restrictions, which have been varied from time to time, have been placed on the quantity of fish which might be landed from any one voyage by any of the remaining vessels.
§ Mr. ShinwellIs the Minister aware that this voluntary regulation of the trawling industry has led to considerable unemployment in the industry, and also to higher prices for fish?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithWith regard to the latter part of the supplementary question, I am informed that the average port price for Great Britain in 1938 was higher than for 1936 and 1937, but was well below the figures for 1934 and 1935, and I do not know whether it would really help the industry as such to do away with this arrangement.
§ Mr. ShinwellIs the Minister aware that, apart from port prices, there has been a considerable increase in retail prices?