54.
asked the Minister of Agriculture how he has defined a needy fisherman for the purposes of the Inshore Fishing Act, 1945; and what qualifications are laid down to obtain a grant.
It is a statutory requirement that grants may be given towards the cost of inshore boats only in cases of need. It is, therefore, necessary to have regard to the assets of applicants in determining their eligibility for grants. In practice, no fisherman who is otherwise eligible has been refused a grant unless his available assets substantially exceed half the cost of the boat, or share in the boat, which he wishes to acquire; and where no grant is given, loans up to two-thirds of the cost are available in approved cases.
Is the Minister aware that he has turned down the application of two of my constituents, one an ex-Service man without any money at all and the other, the brother, who is prepared to put in a certain amount of money to help the case, as required by the Ministry? Will he review this case?
If the hon. and gallant Member cares to send the case along, I will certainly look at it, but in making calculations of the assets of any person allowance is made for working capital and there is a liberal sum for contingencies.
Is an allowance also made for the rise in costs since the passing of the Act in 1945?