§ Mr. KERR-SMILEYasked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that fishermen in the North of Ireland have suffered severely since the introduction of steam trawlers; and whether he is prepared to entertain the suggestion that there should be a close season for steam trawlers from November till March each year?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Department of Agriculture are not prepared to recommend that a general close season for steam trawling off the Irish coast from November to March should be adopted or enforced, but if reasonable evidence be submitted to them that the operations of steam trawlers in any locality have an injurious effect generally upon the fisheries of that locality, the Department are prepared to consider the question of holding an inquiry into the matter. At present steam trawling is prohibited in the inshore waters off the entire North coast.
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§ Mr. KERR-SMILEYasked the Chief Secretary whether he is in a position to state when a Grant will be made out of the Development Fund for the improvement of fisheries in North Antrim; and what the amount of the Grant is likely to be?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI am not in a position to make any statement in this matter.