§ 2. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why, for his Department's fisheries experiments in the North Sea, he is using Danish boats and fishermen and other experts instead of British boats and personnel.
§ Mr. GodberTwo Danish well cutters were hired because English fishermen do not use boats suitable for transplanting live fish. The only foreigners engaged in the experiment are the crews of these well cutters who are experienced in handling this type of craft.
§ Mr. HughesIs not that a striking confession of failure on the part of this island nation, famous for its fisheries, its shipbuilding and ship-repairing? Will the Minister consult some British experts in these matters in order to remove this stigma?
§ Mr. GodberI think the hon. and learned Member is using somewhat strong language. If this is the most striking evidence of failure, I think we have done pretty well so far.
§ 3. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the experiments which his Department is making in the North Sea by transplanting 1387 small plaice from the nurseries off the coast of continental Europe to the Dogger Bank where there is abundant food for their growth, indicating the results of those experiments.
§ Mr. GodberThe aim of the experiment is to discover whether young plaice can be moved with profit from the coastal nursery grounds to the Dogger Bank where it is known that they will grow much faster. Transplantation began last month and will continue until about mid-May. The full results of the experiment cannot be known for at least two years.
§ Mr. HughesShould these experiments be confined to plaice in that place? What is being done about experiments in regard to other breeds of fish?
§ Mr. GodberPlaice will be no more confined than the hon. and learned Member is confined to his own place in this House. As to further experiments, I think we had better see how this one goes along.