§ 12. Mr. Haymanasked the Minister of Labour what steps he is taking to arrest the decline in the number of young men engaged in Cornish sea fisheries and to stimulate recruitment.
§ Mr. IsaacsI have no power to prevent young men leaving the Cornish sea fisheries. With regard to recruitment, my local offices will give all possible assistance to owners of fishing boats who notify vacancies.
§ Mr. Gerald HowardCan the Minister give publicity to help recruitment in this matter, as I have suggested to him?
§ Mr. IsaacsI doubt whether it is necessary at the moment because in Cornwall, at the June count, there were 99 unemployed fishermen, 25 at Looe, 36 at St. Austell and 27 at St. Ives. There is, therefore, unemployment among fishermen there at the moment.
§ Mr. HaymanIs my right hon. Friend not aware that unemployment in the inshore fishing industry can vary almost from day to day? What may have happened on one day last week may not apply this week. Might I further remind my right hon. Friend that in the last census only 53 out of 862 men were under 25 years of age?
§ Mr. IsaacsI have no information on that point but, directing my answer to the Question, I said that we would give all possible assistance in notifying vacancies. There are, however, unemployed men there awaiting work.