§ 20. Mr. Edward Evansasked the President of the Board of Trade the comparative cost of nets for the fishing industry, trawl and drift, for the years 1938 and 1948; and how long it is now necessary to wait for fulfilment of orders for nets.
§ Mr. H. WilsonComparative costs for the years 1938 and 1948 are: trawl nets 513 £12 10s. 0d. and £33 5s. 0d.; drift nets £3 12s. 6d. and £12 0s. 0d. respectively. There is no material delay in deliveries of trawl nets, but fulfilment of orders for drift nets often takes up several months. I am advised, however, that fishermen who have placed their orders in accordance with the usual practice at the end of one season for delivery in time for the following fishing season have been able to obtain reasonable supplies.
§ Mr. EvansIs the Minister aware that my information is that with regard to drift nets the period of waiting is about two years, and that this is a very grave handicap indeed on the whole of the industry, particularly during the East Anglian herring fishing season?
§ Mr. WilsonSuch inquiries as I have been able to make suggest that while there has been a long delay the position is improving, and it is now only a period of some months.