§ Colonel ASHLEYasked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether any areas closed to fishing previous to the outbreak of war have been thrown open since that date; and whether the Admiralty are taking all possible steps to increase the national fish supply by affording every facility to trawlers to carry on their business?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe Admiralty did not close any areas to fishing before the War and have no power to open any which were then closed. As regards the second part of the question, on the 14th February, in reply to the hon. and gallant Member for the Torquay Division, I stated that it has always been the policy of the Admiralty to remove or relax restrictions on fishing whenever it is considered safe to do so.