§ 49. Sir J. Graham Kerrasked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the demonstrated practicability of rearing oysters under artificial conditions up to the stage suitable for planting out, he will take steps to encourage oyster-breeding facilities with the object of obtaining supplies of home-produced young oysters to provide for the development and extension of oyster-fisheries in suitable localities round our coasts without having recourse to importation from abroad?
§ The Minister of Agriculture (Mr. R. S. Hudson)I have the possibility in mind and intend to encourage, so far as practicable, an increase in the breeding of oysters by artificial means.
§ Sir J. Graham KerrIs my right hon. Friend bearing in mind that experience in foreign countries shows that properly worked oyster fisheries provide an important source of food, not for the rich but for the poor?
§ Mr. HudsonIt is very unlikely that any result could accrue for at least three years.