§ Mr. WATTasked how much money has been spent by this country up to 31st December, 1913, on the International investigation of the North Sea; and whether any action by Great Britain has resulted from the investigation?
§ Mr. HERBERT LEWIS (for Mr. Runciman)The total expenditure incurred by Great Britain up to the 31st December, 1913, on the International investigation of the North Sea amounted to £154,919, exclusive of the cost of printing, etc. The International Council, at their last meeting, formulated proposals with regard to the regulation of the plaice fisheries which are now under the consideration of His Majesty's Government, and the other Governments concerned. My hon. Friend is no doubt aware that the investigation of the plaice fisheries has been until recently the matter which has principally engaged the attention of the council. The investigations which are at present being conducted for the elucidation of controversial questions which have arisen in connection with the herring fisheries have been greatly facilitated by the co-operation of the International Council, and by the researches which have already been conducted by them over a number of years. Further, the extensive investigations of the life-history of food fishes, and of the physical circumstances affecting them which it has been possible to carry out only through the co-operation of the countries participating in the International1960W organisation, has made available a fund of information which greatly assists the administrative work of the Government Departments concerned with fisheries.