29. Mr. W. H. K. Bakerasked the Minister of Technology if he will now make a statement on the causes and treatment of dry rot in in-shore fishing vessels.
§ Mr. FowlerDry rot in fishing vessels is a problem which has been largely overcome. It is caused by the growth of fungi in a moist atmosphere. The treatment is to remove infected timbers and replace by naturally durable wood or by wood that has been treated with a preservative.
Mr. BakerDoes the Minister realise that the boats that are affected are the newer ones rather than the older ones? Can he give the reason for this? Secondly, does he fully appreciate that the effects of this dry rot in boats may cost many thousands of pounds' worth of repairs? Will he go further into the subject because, in spite of what he says, the problem has not been solved?
§ Mr. FowlerI am a little surprised at the hon. Member's suggestion that dry rot is found more frequently in new boats, since in new boats the use of decay-susceptible timbers is avoided and design modifications have been made to improve the circulation of dry air round timber structures. Perhaps, when the 1322 hon. Member refers to "newer" he does not mean "very new". I can assure him that the problem has been brought effectively under control—and relatively inexpensively.