§ Mr. HAYDN JONESasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that there is a difference of opinion between the Lancashire and Western Sea Fisheries Committee and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution as to whether the adoption of a site of a proposed mussel-cleansing tank at Aberdovey by the former body will interfere with the reasonable requirements of the latter, and that the Board of Trade decided the question in favour of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution without any local 1890W inspection or inquiry by any of the Board of Trade officials; and whether, in view of the importance of the mussel fishing to the local fishermen, he will cause a public inquiry to be held locally at an early date by someone competent to receive and weigh evidence and to report to the Board of Trade.
Mr. HARCOURTI am aware of the difference of opinion referred to by my hon. Friend. The Lifeboat Institution informed the Board of Trade that the construction of the tank on the site proposed would in certain circumstances be a serious danger to the lifeboat when being launched. In view of this representation the Board declined to sanction the scheme, and in doing so they suggested to the Fisheries Committee that the latter should submit for consideration an alternative site in the Aberdovey Estuary that would not be open, to the same objection. On the 2nd June last the Fisheries Committee informed the Board that the consideration of another site was postponed, and on the; 19th July that the erection of the tank was deferred for the present. As the Board had plans and all the information they required for coming to a decision, they did not think a public local inquiry necessary. If the Fisheries Committee can satisfy the Board that there is no suitable alternative site, the latter will give the matter further consideration.