§ 14. Commander Nobleasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many of the 100 fishing trawlers that the German authorities have been authorised to construct have been completed; and how many are now under construction.
§ Mr. MayhewThe answer to the first part of the Question is two, and to the second part, 22 in the British zone, and, it is understood, 12 in the American zone.
§ 15. Mr. Douglas Marshallasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will give an assurance that the German fishing fleet will not be handed over to any German authority before that authority has signed the International Convention concerning Overfishing.
§ Mr. MayhewThe German authorities in the bizonal area are already responsible for the operation of the German fishing fleet under the general supervision of Military Government. As, however, no German authority is yet competent to enter into international agreements, the United States and United Kingdom Military Governments have undertaken to ensure the compliance of the fishing fleets of the Combined zones with the agreed measures for the prevention of overfishing in the North Sea.
§ Mr. MarshallMay I ask the Minister to circulate his reply to the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries for his information?
§ Mr. MayhewI have no doubt whatever that he is already aware of it.