§ 5. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a further statement on the advances made in the development of the stern fishing factory trawler; and what further steps he now plans towards increasing the number of such trawlers.
§ Mr. MaclayThree stern fishing factory trawlers are at present fishing from British ports. Further development of this type of vessel is primarily a matter for the fishing industry.
§ Mr. HughesDoes the right hon. Gentleman not realise that this is a very important modernisation which should be encouraged energetically in the interests of not only the fishing industry but the consumers of fish in this country?
§ Mr. MaclayThese ships are undoubtedly very interesting but, as the hon. and learned Member knows, other 948 interesting developments of a comparable kind are taking place, although on somewhat smaller ships. The industry must be allowed to continue experimenting and we will all watch with interest what comes out of those experiments.