§ 31. Mr. H. Daviesasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress has been made in the mechanisation of the fishing fleet in Hong Kong; and what amounts have been spent on the development of this important industry.
§ Mr. J. GriffithsDuring 1950 the mechanised fleet in Hong Kong increased from 55 to 111 vessels of all types, the greatest increase being in the number of native-type wooden long liners which rose from 34 to 66, and of the native type fish collectors which rose from two to 14.
With reference to the second part of the Question, the approved estimated expenditure for the Hong Kong Fisheries Department for 1949–50 totalled HK $121,593. In addition, the Fish Marketing Organisation in Hong Kong, which is a co-operative undertaking with 14W a staff of nearly 400, has a recurrent expenditure of $1,700,000 a year. This organisation is administered by Government but is self-supporting. In addition, it has spent $870,000 on loans to fishermen, including a sum of $150,000 for mechanising existing vessels, and $60,000 was spent in 1949–50 on subsidising schools for fishermen's children. A grant of £20,000 for new experimental vessels suitable for mechanisation has been made available under the Colonial Development and Welfare Act.