HC Deb 05 April 1951 vol 486 c358
16. Mr. Douglas Marshall

asked the President of the Board of Trade how he proposes to allocate the manila rope made available for the fishing industry.

Mr. H. Wilson

The discussions with my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries are still proceeding, and I am, therefore, not able to add to the information given in my reply to the hon. Member's Question of 1st March.

Mr. Marshall

How soon does the right hon. Gentleman think he will be able to make a statement on this matter; and is he giving full consideration to the inshore fishing industry?

Mr. Wilson

Yes, Sir, full consideration is being given to that. I cannot say yet when I shall be able to make an announcement.

Mr. G. R. Howard

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that great dissatisfaction is caused by the fact that foreign fishermen can buy manila rope which is denied to our own fishermen, often in the same shops to which they go?

Mr. Wilson

No, I am not aware of that.