§ Mr. GARDNERasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will institute an inquiry into the causes of the present prices of cotton nets used for pilchard 246W and herring fishing, in view of the complaints of the fishermen on the matter.
Mr GUINNESSAs at present advised, I do not see my way to adopt the hon. Member's suggestion. I am satisfied that the present high price of nets is attributable to the cost of cotton, labour and overhead charges, and I do not think that anything material would be added to the information available by an inquiry.