Fishing Industry

Oral Answers to Questions — Seychelles – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 1 April 1965.

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Photo of Mr James Johnson Mr James Johnson , Kingston upon Hull West 12:00, 1 April 1965

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what action he is taking to improve the efficiency of the fishing industry of the Seychelles Islands.

Photo of Mr Anthony Greenwood Mr Anthony Greenwood , Rossendale

Low-interest loans to fishermen are provided to cover the cost of larger boats with engines and other equipment and 50 percent. grants to assist them to experiment with new techniques. I understand that loans totalling £2,000 using money given by the Freedom from Hunger Campaign have already been made, and that a further £3,000 from this source is likely to be lent during the next two or three months. Grants totalling £750 have also recently been made. These grants are supplied from Colonial Development and Welfare funds.

Photo of Mr James Johnson Mr James Johnson , Kingston upon Hull West

I thank my right hon. Friend for that reply, but as he is himself visiting Mauritius in the coming weeks may I ask him to consider taking a northern detour to the Seychelles to see the condition of these fishermen, because they do need an enormous amount of capital?

Photo of Mr Anthony Greenwood Mr Anthony Greenwood , Rossendale

My hon. Friend would make an admirable siren, but I am afraid that, in view of the Parliamentary situation, I must resist his blandishments.

Photo of Mr Robert Carr Mr Robert Carr , Mitcham

Adverting to our repeated attempts to understand the division of responsibility between the right hon. Gentleman's Department and that of his right hon. Friend the Minister of Overseas Development, can the right hon. Gentleman explain how he comes to be responsible for this matter rather than his right hon. Friend?

Photo of Mr Anthony Greenwood Mr Anthony Greenwood , Rossendale

This is money going to the Seychelles, not only from the Freedom from Hunger Campaign but under Colonial Development and Welfare funds, for which we have, of course, some continuing responsibility.

Photo of Mr Hector Hughes Mr Hector Hughes , Aberdeen North

Whatever action my right hon. Friend may take with regard to the fishing in the Seychelles, will he make it clear that the fish caught in those waters cannot compare with the fish caught in the North Sea off north east Scotland—

Photo of Sir Harry Hylton-Foster Sir Harry Hylton-Foster , Cities of London and Westminster

The Minister may do it, but he cannot do it on this Question.