HC Deb 18 July 1955 vol 544 cc7-8
16. Mr. Donnelly

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he proposes to take to meet the difficulties of the fishing industry at Milford Haven arising out of the increased cost of coal.

19. Mr. Edward Evans

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the anticipated rise in the cost of carrying on the normal fishing activities at Lowestoft due to the increased cost of coal; and what action he will take to relieve the consequences.

Mr. Nugent

The increase in the price of coal will add about £5,000 per month to the cost of operating the fishing fleet at Milford Haven and about £1,500 at Lowestoft. My right hon. Friend recognises that, in spite of some improvement in trading results last year, the owners of near and middle water vessels at these and other ports cannot bear the full cost of the increased coal prices.

In conjunction with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland, we are therefore working out proposals for a revised subsidy scheme designed to give relief to coal-burning vessels. We intend to have these proposals ready to lay before Parliament after the Summer Recess.

Mr. Donnelly

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there will still be four months—three months of the Recess and, probably, a month's time-lag after that—before any change in the subsidy can be effective? Will he be more specific in the welcome assurance he has given and tell us whether any change in the subsidy will take note of this four months' time-lag, so that there will be every encouragement for these ships to be put to sea?

Mr. Nugent

Yes, I shall be very pleased to give the hon. Gentleman and the House the assurance that we will take into account the additional cost of the interval.

Mr. Evans

While thanking the Parliamentary Secretary for that assurance about white-fish fishing, can he give a similar assurance about drifters and the herring fleet, having regard to the fact that the white-fish fleet at Lowestoft is largely diesel-engined, while the herring drifters are more often steam-engined?

Mr. Nugent

I sympathise with the hon. Gentleman's problem, but I am afraid I cannot give him that specific answer. That question is different from the one on the Order Paper, but if he will put it down, I shall be very pleased to give him the best answer I can.

Mr. Fell

Will my hon. Friend look at the question which the hon. Member for Lowestoft (Mr. Edward Evans) has raised? It is very important, because there are many coal-burning herring drifters and we would like to know whether they will be considered in the same light.