Major WHITEasked the Secretary to the Treasury what sums have been granted by the Treasury to the International Council for the Exploration of the North and neighbouring Seas, or for the purposes of that council in each year since its establishment: and what portions of each such annual grant have been voted 1117W direct to the council and administered respectively by the Scottish Fishery Board, the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, or any other specified authorities or bodies?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSENo sums have been granted to the International Council for the investigation of the North Sea and adjacent waters except the annual subscription of 25,000 marks which is payable by Great Britain as one of the participating countries. Provision was made in each of the financial years, 1902–3 to 1909–10 inclusive, at the rate of £5,500 apiece to the agents appointed for carrying out the British share of the international work, namely, the Marine Biological Association for England and the Scottish Fishery Board for Scotland, for the maintenance and equipment of research steamers, laboratories, etc. Since 1st April, 1910, the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries has been substituted as the English agent for the Marine Biological Association, and the expenses of that Department in connection with the investigations and of the Scottish Fishery Board have appeared in. the annual estimates of the two Departments in special subheads.