§ 20. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how many and what proportion of ships in the British fishing fleets are and are not, respectively, fitted with the British Decca system of navigational aids; and what steps he is taking to ensure that new ships and also coal-burning ships converted into oil-burning ships are so equipped.
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation (Mr. John Hay)I am advised that some 900 fishing vessels are so equipped. This represents a high proportion of those vessels which have electric power available and which do their fishing within the coverage of existing Decca chains. Use of the equipment is not compulsory and we do not intend to make it so.
§ Mr. HughesIs it not an anomaly that any shipowners can be found who fail to use this protection against loss and damage, and will the Minister inquire into this anomaly with a view to taking steps by regulation or otherwise to see that the minority who do not use it are obliged to use it in future?
§ Mr. HayWe have to keep the matter in perspective. There are approximately 9,500 British registered fishing vessels, of which about 2,100 are of 40 ft. or more. It is obviously only in the larger size vessels that this aid, which is extremely valuable, would be of use. It is, perhaps, worth noting that grants and loans are available from the White Fish Authority for the installation of generators in fishing vessels to enable them to make use of the Decca receiver.