§ 152. Mr. Henderson Stewartasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether discussions have begun between his Department, the Ministry of Supply and the Ministry of War Transport on the question of arranging priority for engines required for fishing boats; how far the discussions have proceeded; and wh2,t decisions have been reached.
§ Mr. Westwood:Yes, Sir. Discussions have begun between the interested Departments. The Ministry of Supply have been informed of the requirements of the fishing industry and are endeavouring to arrange for acceleration of production.
§ 154. Mr. J. J. Robertsonasked the Secretary of State for. Scotland the prices at which ex-Admiralty M.F.V.s will be disposed of; and what further steps he has taken to ensure that ex-Service fishermen, who have lost their boats on war service, may be given first priority in acquiring these vessels.
§ Mr. Westwood:There are four classes of ex-Admiralty motor fishing vessels— 45ft., 61½ ft., 75 ft., and 90 ft. The prices for the first two classes have been fixed, and the details are given below. The prices for the 75 ft. class are still under consideration; the 90 ft. class have been offered to the industry for sale by tender. In considering applications to purchase, the circumstances of each case will be carefully considered, but so far as the position of ex-Servicemen with regard to priority is concerned I cannot add anything to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries to the hon. Member's Question on 11th March.
181WFollowing are the details
Ex-Admiralty motor fishing vessels. NUMBER AVAILABLE FOR DISPOSAL. Class Hull at launching stage Being completed including engines. Release from Service Engines for hulls being built to launching stage. 45 feet … … … 23 4 0 2–3 61½feet … … 1 19 1 1 75 feet … … … 6 19 15 6
PRICES FOR SALES TO FISHERY INDUSTRY. Class Hull at launching stage. Hull with uninstalled engine. Hull with engine installed. 45 feet … … … … £1,200 £2,000 £2,450 61½feet … … … … £2,300 £4,100 £3,600–£4,600* 75 feet … … … … † † † * The exact price depends upon the type of engine installed †Prices still under consideration.
§ Mr. Henderson Stewartasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if late is aware of the almost complete failure of the Firth of Forth herring fishing season; and if he will cause scientific inquiries to be made to ascertain the possible causes, including the effect of electrical sweeps for magnetic mines during the war.
§ Mr. Westwood:I am aware that the current herring season in the Firth of Forth has unfortunately been very disappointing. Arrangements are being made for the resumption of the fishery research work, which was greatly curtailed during the war, and an investigation of the failure of this herring fishing will be undertaken as soon as possible.
§ Mr. Henderson Stewartasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will now make representations to the Ship Building Committee recently set up by the Admiralty with regard to the need for including in the future building programme a number of vessels suitable for both the fishing industry and the Navy.
§ Mr. Westwood:I would refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my hon. Friend the Civil Lord of the Admiralty in the course of the Debate on the Navy Estimates on 7th March that the building of ships for the fishing industry was not one of the terms of reference of the Ship Building Advisory Committee. I am, however, inviting my right hon. Friend the First Lord of the Admiralty to 182W consider the desirability of encouraging the construction of vessels suitable for both the fishing industry and the Navy.