§ 32. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the policy of the Government in relation to the equipment, maintenance and development of the British fishing industry; and what steps he proposes to improve it in these respects.
The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. D. Heathcoat Amory)The policy of the Government is to foster and sustain a modern and efficient fishing industry. We are pursuing this policy in a variety of ways and shall continue vigorously to do so.
§ Mr. HughesIs the Minister aware that while the two fine demonstration ships "Sir William Hardy" and "Explorer," which were launched last Monday in Aberdeen, represent a move in the right direction, much remains to be done to provide more trawlers with better equipment and decent accommodation for the crews in order to make sea fishing more attractive to the right type of young men? What is the Minister doing in that regard?
Mr. AmoryI gave a rather general answer to the hon. and learned Gentleman because his Question was of a rather wide and general nature. I entirely agree with what he said. I am delighted at the progress being made in building modern trawlers with efficient equipment and good accommodation for the crews and that this progress has been facilitated and considerably encouraged by the loans and grants scheme. I am glad 1489 that the scheme is being taken advantage not the pre-war figures available and no being made.