HC Deb 20 November 1945 vol 416 cc404-5W
Sir W. Smiles

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is now in a position to state why 200 boxes of fresh fish on the Annalong fishing boat "Charlotte Chambers," particulars of which have been sent to him, were not unloaded at Fleetwood on 30th October and had all to be dumped in the sea on 31st October.

Mr. T. Williams

I understand that the vessel in question tried to land her catch at Fleetwood in order to avoid possible difficulties in the transport of the fish to this country via Belfast as a result of the dockers' strike at that port. The Fleetwood Fishing Vessel Owners' Association feared that in these circumstances labour difficulties might arise at the port of Fleetwood if the vessel were allowed to land her catch there. They accordingly refused to place their facilities at the disposal of the skipper for the purpose of landing his fish and he was ultimately compelled to take the fish away again, I am writing more fully to the hon. and gallant Member on the subject.