§ 99. Mr. Malcolm MacMillanasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what has been the cost to date of the special measures taken to enable British vessels to fish within the 12 miles fishing limits imposed by the Government of Iceland; how many British vessels of all categories are involved in those duties; and what measures have been taken to provide substitute vessels and crews in the nearer waters around the British Isles in view of the increased activity of German and other fishing fleets around our own coasts.
§ Mr. AllanSince the present fisheries dispute with Iceland began, there has been some reinforcement of the Fishery Protection Squadron off Iceland. Her Majesty's ships engaged on this duty would, if they had not been so employed, have undertaken other naval duties, and the additional cost of these measures has in the main been limited to some extra expenditure on fuel. There are at present three of Her Majesty's ships on patrol off Iceland.
306WThe reinforcement of the Fishery Protection Squadron has been met by allocating to it extra ships from the Home Fleet. It has not affected fishery patrols in United Kingdom waters, which are carried out by the Home Division of the Fishery Protection Squadron. The need to provide substitute vessels has not therefore arisen.