Fishing Industry (Fuel Oil Costs)

HC Deb 17 April 1957 vol 568 cc210-1W

Mr. G. Wilson

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will give an estimate of the effect on the costs of the fishing industry of the recent reduction in the prices of bunker Oils.

Mr. Godber

It is estimated that the reductions in the prices of bunker fuel oil and marine diesel oil which came into effect on 9th and 10th April would, in a full year, reduce the costs of the distant water fishing fleet and of the near and middle water fleet by about £570,000 and £90,000 respectively. These reductions offset more than one-third of the increases which took place in January.