HC Deb 05 March 1923 vol 161 cc44-5
102. Mr. HARBORD

asked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health if, seeing that the herring fishing in Shetland waters is being ruined through whaling operations, he will exercise the powers conferred upon him by the Whale Fisheries (Amendment) Act of 1922 by at once cancelling the existing licences of those engaged in the whale fisheries, in view of the inquiry as to the damage done by whaling held by the Fishery Board for Scotland last year and the Board reporting unanimously in favour of the prohibition of whaling?

Captain ELLIOT (Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Health, Scotland)

My Noble Friend has considered the application made under the Act of 1922, and has decided that he is not justified in making any Order in present circumstances. I would remind the hon. Member that the Fishery Board's inquiry was held, not last year, but in 1919, and that Parliament, having the Board's Report and the other facts before it, authorised the Secretary for Scotland to cancel or suspend licences only in the event of his being satisfied that the prosecution of the whaling industry under the licences is prejudicial to the herring or other sea fisheries. On the information before him, my Noble Friend is not so satisfied, and is therefore unable to make any Order in present circumstances.

Mr. A. M. SAMUEL

Will the hon. Gentleman inquire whether the deficiency of the herring fishery was not due to oceanic currents, and will he arrange for an investigation into oceanic currents?

Captain ELLIOT

It is exactly because my Noble Friend is not satisfied that the deficiency in the herring catch is solely due to the whaling industry that he has found himself unable to make an Order prohibiting whaling.

Sir R. HAMILTON

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the fishing industry on the West Coast of Shetland has been entirely ruined and the people are leaving the island because of whaling being carried on?

Captain ELLIOT

That is rather an exaggerated statement, when one reflects that no fewer than 35,000 crans were taken from the west side of Shetland in May, June and July, 1922.

Mr. SPEAKER

We cannot pursue the herrings at Question Time.