§ Mr. E. EVANSasked the Minister of Agriculture which of the local sea fisheries 34W committees have made application to the Ministry for an amendment of Section 4 of the Sea-Fishing Industry Act, 1933, so as to secure the prohibition of landing, instead of sale, of sea-fish under sizes to be prescribed; what resolutions he has received in support of this application from county councils, municipal corporations, or other bodies; and whether he proposes to amend the Act?
§ Mr. ELLIOTThe Lancashire and Western Sea Fisheries Committee has asked for the substitution of the prohibition of landing for the present prohibition of the sale of under-sized sea fish, and this would involve an amendment of Section 4 of the Sea Fishing Industry Act, 1933. No other sea fisheries committee has asked for an amendment of the Order or of the Act. Resolutions in support of the application of the Lancashire and Western Sea Fisheries Committee have been received from the county councils of Lancashire and Cheshire, the councils of 13 boroughs in those two counties, and the Dovey Fishery Board. As regards the last part 35W of the question, I can see no advantage in a prohibition of landing over a prohibition of sale. In any event, in view of the greatly increased expenditure from public funds which would be involved, I do not feel I should be justified in adopting the suggestion.