§ Mr. Perkinsasked the Minister of Agriculture what steps he is taking to develop the elver trade on the banks of the River Severn.
Mr. HudsonSoon after the outbreak of war the elver collecting depot at Epney, previously operated by a German company, was taken over by my Department. In order to gain experience, my Department has operated the depot during the past two seasons on a limited scale compatible with war-time conditions. Some 4,000,000 elvers have been distributed in this country for the purpose of increasing stocks of eels, and a further distribution will be made from the elver fishery which is just commencing.