§ Mr. Loftusasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has received the annual report of the Herring Industry Board, and when the report will be published?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithI have not yet received the annual report of the board. 943W and I understand that they axe not yet able to indicate by what date it will be available.
§ Mr. Loftusasked the Minister of Agriculture how many applications have been received from the English herring ports, and from which ports, for grants for the building of new motor-boats; and how many grants have been authorised?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithFour applications have been received from English ports, one each from Filey, Great Yarmouth, Penzance and St. Ives. One grant has been approved in principle, and one case is still under consideration. The other two applicants did not fulfil the conditions of eligibility.
§ Mr. Loftusasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the Herring Industry Board are granting preferential treatment to motor-boats by allowing them to use excess extra nets and that they refuse to allow steam drifters to use any extra nets; and whether, in view of the fact that the English fleet is composed entirely of steam drifters, he will make representations to the board to avoid any appearance of discrimination against the steam drifters?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithI am aware that the Herring Industry Board have decided in certain circumstances to allow motor-boats to carry a certain number of nets in addition to the fixed number per member of crew. I understand that the board do not regard this possible increase as likely to put the motor-boats in a preferential position, but in any case I am not in a position to intervene in the matter.