HC Deb 09 March 1961 vol 636 c679
39. Mr. Prior

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many applications for grants and loans for building fishing vessels are outstanding with the White Fish Authority.

Mr. Soames

One hundred and seventeen.

Mr. Prior

Is my right hon. Friend aware that if there are delays in placing grants through the White Fish Authority it will hold up work in the shipyards, particularly the small shipyards, and will he try to persuade the White Fish Authority to arrange for some continuity of work so that people in the shipyards will not be put out of work and then have to be taken on again later?

Mr. Soames

I know that the White Fish Authority is very aware of the problem to which my hon. Friend refers, but its responsibility is to the fishing industry as opposed to the shipbuilding industry.