§ Major PRICEasked the Minister of Agriculture when he expects the two new research ships will be ready for their work; what are the names of the ships; and what are the amounts being spent on each ship to fit them out for their research work?
Mr. GUINNESSThe two ships chartered by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research for the researches on fish are the commercial steam trawlers "Cicely Blanche" of Milford Haven and "Ben Meidie" of Aberdeen. They are expected to be ready to commence work about the end of May. The expenditure on experimental plant will be approximately £1,500 for each ship.
§ Mr. RENTOULasked the Minister of Agriculture whether any and, if so, what assistance is being given by the Empire Marketing Board for the purpose of research work into the preservation and curing of herrings, as recommended by the Report of the Imperial Economic Committee?
Mr. GUINNESSThe Empire Marketing Board has placed £18,500 at the disposal of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research for the period ending on 31st March, 1929, for research on fish; no part of this sum is specifically earmarked for research on the preservation and curing of herrings. A preliminary scientific survey of the herring industry has been carried out by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research.