§ Mr. PETHERICKasked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the anxiety of certain foreign nations to enter into negotiations with this country 1265W regarding tariffs, he can assure the House that the Government will, during the course of any such negotiations, take advantage of the opportunity for protecting the British fishing industry?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI can assure my hon. Friend that in any such negotiations into which the Government may enter, the interests of the British fishing industry will be borne in mind.
Mr. LAWasked the Minister of Agriculture whether any of the vessels which landed cargoes of wet fish at Grimsby during the months of October and November last were chartered for that purpose by the Government of Iceland?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI am informed that two vessels, chartered in the name of the Icelandic Government on behalf of a federation of Icelandic fishermen, landed at Grimsby a total of about 12,000 cwts. of fresh fish from Iceland at various dates during the period 21st September to 14th November, inclusive. I understand that the Icelandic Government have guaranteed the freight, and that the cost of freight is deducted from the proceeds of the sale of the fish before the balance is paid to the fishermen.