§ 5. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to make a statement on the 24W changes in temperature during the interwar years, and since, which have taken place in the waters of the northern hemisphere; the effects of these changes on the numbers and habits of the various species of fish in the waters available to British fishermen; and the steps which have been, and are being, taken by his Department to enable British fishermen to adapt their ships, gear, and technique to all these changes.
Mr. AmoryAverage temperatures in northern waters rose very slightly between 1920 and 1940 since when they have remained substantially unchanged. The principal ascertained effect upon the commercial fish stocks has been the much wider spread of increased numbers of cod and to a lesser extent haddock. The British distant-water fleet which fishes these grounds has always been efficiently and successfully adapted to meet changing conditions by private enterprise. The help given by my Department has been mainly in the field of research.