Mr. ALFRED T. DAVIESasked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been directed to the destruction of immature fish by trawlers and dredgers, particularly on the East Coast; whether this indiscriminate trawling and dredging has tended to increase the price of this essential food; whether quantities of sole, plaice, and other fish are now being imported from Denmark, Holland, and Belgium; and whether the Ministry proposes to take or has recently taken any definite action in this matter?
Sir A. BOSCAWENI am aware that trawling generally involves destruction of immature fish. I am not aware that there has been any abnormal destruction in recent times. There is no evidence that trawling and dredging have increased the price of fish. The answer to the third part of the question is in the affirmative. To some extent this import is normal. At present, however, about half of the British fishing fleet is laid up in consequence of the coal strike, and our foreign competitors are taking advantage of the fact. In reply to the last part of the question, the regulation of trawling in inshore waters is primarily the duty of local Sea Fisheries Committees. The regulation of trawling in international waters where the destruction of immature fish is far greater than in British inshore waters, can only be carried out by international agreement. The question whether and to what extent such regulation may be necessary has long occupied the attention of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea, and will be further discussed at their next meeting, to be held in July.