§ 41. Major Sir Basil Neven-Spenceasked the Secretary of Stale for Scotland if a fisherman who acquires a motor fishing vessel from the Admiralty and finds it necessary to alter the position of the engine can add the cost of such alterations to the price of the boat for the purpose of receiving assistance by way of grant or loan under the Inshore Fishing Industry Act.
§ 42. Sir B. Neven-Spenceasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if a fisher man will get a grant under the Inshore Fishing Industry Act towards the cost of buying or reconditioning a boat without at. the same time taking a loan.
§ Mr. WestwoodAn applicant for a grant who does not at the same time apply 937 for a loan will not thereby be precluded from obtaining a grant. Under the Act, however, grants can be given only in cases of need, and it will be necessary to consider whether the applicant qualifies in this respect.
§ 43. Sir B. Neven-Spenceasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if any conclusion has been reached as to the practicability of using Mulberry sections for constructing piers and harbours for fishing boats.
§ Mr. WestwoodThe possible use of Mulberry components in the construction of fishery harbours and piers has been fully examined. I am advised that in many cases the use of such components is impracticable, and that generally normal methods would produce better results at a lower cost.
§ Sir B. Neven-SpenceIn that case, will the right hon. Gentleman get on with the construction of new and very badly needed harbour works forthwith?
§ Mr. WestwoodThat question is not in the Question on the Order Paper.
71. Mr. J. J. Roberstonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the number of ex-Admiralty M.F.Vs. now available to his Department for transfer to the inshore fishing industry; and if he will ensure that the claims of ex-Service fishermen, who have lost their boats on war service, will have first consideration in the allocation of these vessels.
§ Mr. Westwood48 Admiralty M.F.Vs. suitable for inshore fishing are being released to the fishing industry in Great Britain. Of these 24 will be complete and 24 will be disposed of at the launching stage. In addition, there will be 40 vessels of the 75-foot type, which will be more suitable for herring fishing. No allocation has been made as between Scotland and England and Wales. As regards the second part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to him yesterday by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries.
Mr. RoberstonWhile thanking the right hon. Gentleman for that information, may I ask him if, in the allocation of these vessels, he will consider the areas where there are large numbers of unemployed fishermen recently demobilised, and consider giving some preference to those men?
§ Mr. WestwoodI will certainly give consideration to the point which has been raised by the hon. Member.
§ Mr. MaclayWill the right hon. Gentleman state whether Scottish fishermen are to deal with his Department in the pursuit of these rather elusive vessels, and will he state that the Admiralty has no longer anything to do with them?
§ Mr. WestwoodThe Admiralty still have the responsibility for the disposal of these vessels, but the applications for their use, so far as Scotland is concerned, should be made through me.
§ Mr. BoothbyWith regard to the vessels for disposal for herring fishing, will the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that the Herring Industry Board will be taken into consultation before these vessels, which are suitable for herring fishing, are allocated?
§ Mr. WestwoodI will certainly give consideration to the point raised by the hon. Member.