77.
asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware that following his request of 8th April, 1946, certain fishing-trawler owners have converted, and others are considering converting, their vessels from coal to oil; that such conversions have led to better conditions of labour for deep-sea fishermen, but certain ports do not have main ocean installations and, in consequence, the cost of oil fuel is greatly increased; if he is aware that the Ministry of Supply have surplus storage tanks that could be used; and if he will consider making uniform at all recognised fishing ports the price of fuel oil.
The answer to the first two parts of the Question is, "Yes, Sir." The question of the selling price of bunker fuel oil at fishing ports other than those with main oil installations is now under consideration and the provision of additional storage facilities and the desirability of introducing a uniform price for all fishing ports are among the matters that are being examined.