§ Major Neven-Spenceasked the Minister of Agriculture how many trawlers have been released since 13th December, 1944; and how many of them are now engaged in fishing.
Mr. HudsonI am informed that since the 13th December, 1944, 3o trawlers have been released from naval service and handed over to be re-converted and returned to their owners. The work of reconverting these trawlers commonly takes three months, and according to the latest information in my possession, only one of these trawlers has yet resumed fishing. It may be of interest to add that during January and February 17 trawlers completed reconditioning, and it is expected that about 25 more will be completed during March.