§ Mr. Hendersonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proportions of aid to the fishing industry will be payable to the different categories of boats.
§ Mr. Bishop:The proportion of aid actually paid to the different categories of vessels will depend on the number of days each vessel in a particular category spends in fishing during the subsidy period. Although I cannot forecast the outcome it would not appear unreasonable to suppose that vessels of 135 feet and over in length might qualify for slightly over one-third of the total, those between 80 feet and 135 feet in length just under one-third and those between 40 feet and 80 feet also just under one-third.
§ Mr. Hendersonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether the amount of aid announced for the fishing industry can be increased to permit the payment of a similar amount to owners of boats of under 40 ft. as is to be paid to boats of 40 to 50 ft.
§ Mr. Bishop:The Government gave careful consideration to the level of aid which might be granted to the industry both in respect of the situation in the industry given the need to avoid radical contraction leading to permanent structural damage and in respect of public expenditure. On neither count could the total of aid be increased.