§ 36. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is aware that the increase of 7s. 7d. a ton in trawler bunker coal, which came into force on Monday, 1st July, 1957, will cost the British fishing industry about £300,000 extra; that, because the distant water fleet is largely oil-burning, this extra cost will fall largely on the near and middle-water section of the fishing industry; and if he will make a statement indicating his plans to enable the industry to off-set these extra burdens.
§ Mr. GodberThis would be the annual cost increase if the old coal-burning vessels were not falling in number, as they continue to do. About 70 per cent. of the coal consumed is taken by the near and middle-water fleet, which receives an operating subsidy that is reviewed annually. Subsidy schemes for the forthcoming year taking into account all the factors involved will be laid before the House shortly.