HC Deb 25 February 1926 vol 192 cc758-9W
Mr. C. WILLIAMS

asked the Minister of Agriculture if his Department have made any advance in their efforts to help the fishing industry by means of wireless communication for the purpose of giving the state of the market, etc., and, if so, how?

Mr. GUINNESS

I have carefully considered the question raised by my hon. and gallant Friend and have come to the conclusion that as a very small proportion of the fishing vessels are fitted with means of receiving wireless communication, I should not be justified in instituting a system of broadcasting information of the kind suggested. I shall be ready, however, to reconsider the question if I find that the number of vessels equipped with receiving sets increases to any considerable extent.

Mr. WILLIAMS

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he has yet carried out the recommendation of the Development Commission as regards a fishery research vessel for the western area?

Mr. GUINNESS

I presume my hon. Friend is referring to the recommendation in the Report of the Advisory Committee on Fishery Research appointed by the Development Commission in 1919. I can assure my hon. Friend that the proposal to equip a research vessel for the purpose of exploration and investigation of the Atlantic waters commands my sympathy, but owing to the present need for national economy the question of such provision has, for the present, been deferred.

Mr. WILLIAMS

asked the Minister of Agriculture what progress has been made by his Department in their examination of improved methods of fish cultivation in various areas?

Mr. GUINNESS

I would refer my hon. Friend to the chapter on Scientific Research in the Report on Sea Fisheries recently published for the year 1924, and to similar information which I hope shortly to furnish in a Report for the year 1925. The scientific work progresses steadily in all its branches The efforts of my Department in fish cultivation are, however, at present necessarily confined in the main to oysters and other shellfish, which are more tractable and less elusive than the free-swimming fishes of the sea.