§ Mr. HOPKINasked the Minister for Agriculture the reasons for the increase in the cost of fishing licences to the coracle men and the net fishermen on the Towey?
§ Mr. ATTLEEThe reason given by the Fishery Board for increasing the cost of fishing licences was that its revenue was insufficient to maintain an adequate staff of water bailiffs for the proper conservation of the fisheries, and that its revenue was actually declining. My right hon. Friend approved the scale, with one exception, having satisfied himself that the considerations advanced by the Fishery Board were sound and the increases were in the circumstances reasonable. I would point out to my hon. Friend that the cost of licences for fishing for salmon with rod and line has also been increased.