§ 2.44 p.m.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government what a subsidy of one shilling per stone would amount to per annum on the individual landings of whelks, shrimps and crabs in Norfolk harbours on the basis of the landings of such shellfish in 1961.]
THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD (EARL WALDEGRAVE)My Lords, a subsidy at this rate on these landings would amount to £13,474 per annum.
§ LORD WISEMy Lords, while thanking the noble Earl for that information, which shows a very small percentage on the £5 million of subsidies which may have to be paid for the fishing fleets, may I ask him if he is still satisfied with the earnings of the shell-fishermen generally? In our debate a few weeks ago there seemed to be no information as to what the earnings were, and from the Government Benches it was almost suggested that this particular branch of fishing was prosperous. Since that time I have been able to obtain figures for eight fishing areas, covering 48 vessels and 106 men, and I find that the average earnings in 1961 were £471 a year; in 1959 they were £451—
§ LORD WISEMay I ask the noble Earl, in view of these figures, whether the Government are satisfied with the position in regard to subsidies?
EARL WALDEGRAVEMy Lords, the Government are satisfied that it would not be right to introduce a shellfish subsidy at this time.
THE EARL OF HADDINGTONMy Lords, does the noble Earl realise that the gear used by shellfishermen is the most expensive to maintain and the most liable to loss by damage from storm?
EARL WALDEGRAVEMy Lords, I have no doubt that some of the gear used by shellfishermen is expensive to maintain. But this question hardly arises as a supplementary to the original Question, and I am satisfied, as I said on the Second Reading of the Bill, that a shellfish subsidy would not be justified.