Mr. De la Bèreasked the Minister of Agriculture whether since Germany is completely rebuilding her deep-sea fishing fleet, he will take steps to assist our deep-sea fishing fleet so that the British trawlers may be equally efficient?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithThe present trawling fleet includes a considerable proportion of efficient modern vessels of large size and its total catching power is such that the industry has already found it necessary to regulate landings by the larger vessels. In these circumstances it is difficult to see any adequate grounds for financial assistance from the State towards a rebuilding scheme.
§ Mr. W. R. Duckworthasked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the plan prepared by the Sussex Sea Fisheries Committee to create a reserve of untrained men and women to help the older fishermen at sea and on shore in time of emergency; 1136W whether the Admiralty is inquiring as to the possibility of the general adoption of a similar scheme; and whether he can make any statement on the subject?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithI have received from the Sussex Sea Fisheries Committee a copy of proposals relating to the organisation of the inshore fisheries of their district in time of emergency. Any such scheme involving Government action would, of course, have to be capable of application to inshore fisheries generally and would, moreover, have to be considered in relation to wider schemes dealing with the organisation of the whole fishing industry and associated activities under war conditions. In particular, the Government's scheme for the compilation of a voluntary national register has been announced since the Sussex proposals were prepared.
I understand that, with these points in view, the Sussex scheme is to be considered at an early date by the Association of Sea Fisheries Committees, and I am now awaiting the result of their deliberations.