Viscountess ASTORasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the fact that, owing to the large number of sunken wrecks in the Channel and around the coasts, men engaged in the fishing industry suffer frequent damage to, or loss of, their gear; and whether he will consider if the Government could, by some scheme of insurance or otherwise, assist this industry?
Mr. GUINNESSI am aware that the presence of sunken wrecks off certain parts of the coast, especially between the Start and Portland, leads to frequent loss of gear by fishermen. I have carefully considered whether any method of alleviating this disadvantage, by a scheme of insurance or otherwise, could be devised, but I have been unable to discover any practicable solution to the problem.