This is a return printed by the order of the House of Com- 

 mons. This return gives each year the total quantity (excluding 

 shell-fish) ; the total value (excluding shell-fish) and the total 

 value (including shell-fish) for each port in the Lancashire and 

 Western Sea Fisheries District, at which statistics are taken. 



(2) A printed statement headed " Board of Agriculture 

 and Fisheries. Fishery Statistics — England and Wales." 

 Statement showing the quantity and value of fish landed on 

 the English and Welsh coasts during the month of (say) April, 

 1904, with comparative statement for 1903, distinguishing the 

 East, South, and West coasts respectively. 



(3) A monthly summary of the returns of fish landed from 

 the Fishing grounds at the ports in the district. The figures 

 are written in a printed form. This is the form which gives 

 the most detailed information, and to which reference is most 

 frequently made below. 



Report (1) is an annual one ; (2) and (3) are monthly 

 returns. 



The tables actually published in the present Report only 

 represent a very small fraction of the figures actually dealt 

 with. 



The statistical reports of the Board of Agriculture and 

 Fisheries (formerly reports of Board of Trade) have been 

 severely criticised by various writers, notably by the 

 naturalists on the staff of the Marine Biological Association. * 



From the point of view of the Joint Committee there are 

 several difficulties which, however, can hardly be attributed to 

 the Central Authority. The first difficulty arises from the 

 fact that various changes have been made from time to time 



* Report on Fishery Statistics, prepared for the Council by the 

 naturalists on the staff of the Marine Biological Association of the United 

 Kingdom, June, 1896. (This criticism applies to Board of Trade returns 

 only.) 



