HL Deb 18 December 1963 vol 254 cc241-2
LORD BOOTHBY

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are aware of the serious situation that has arisen in connection with the herring fishing industry on the West Coast of Scotland; and what steps they are proposing to take.]

THE MINISTER OF STATE, SCOTTISH OFFICE (LORD CRAIGTON)

I am aware that a number of drift net fishermen were dissatisfied with the poor market response to landings of herring made by them at North-West Coast ports late in November and that they decided to discontinue herring fishing about three weeks earlier than is usual. The drifters have certainly not done as well during the autumn fishing in the Minch as they did last year, but this year they had better fishing in the summer months, and over the year as a whole the herring catchers have sold their catch for very much the same total price as last year.

Representatives of the catchers who saw my right honourable friend the Joint Under-Secretary this morning have asked that "oil and meal" subsidy arrangements should be changed to cover all surplus herring; but this could be done only by an amendment of the Order. My right honourable friend promised to discuss this with the Secretary of State for Scotland but was not able to hold out any promise of early action.

LORD BOOTHBY

My Lords, arising out of that Answer, I should like to ask my noble friend whether it is not a fact—and I understand it is—that all the herring fishermen now ask is that the 25s. subsidy on meal and oil should be extended to cover all surplus herring landed from now until the end of January, just to tide them over a difficult time, and whether he does not think that that is a fairly reasonable price to pay for saving the herring fishing industry, which is now facing something nearly approaching destruction.

LORD CRAIGTON

My Lords, even if we wanted to do that, it would not be practicable because it can be done only by amendment of the Order. But although my right honourable friend will look at this matter most carefully, we are not wholly convinced that the situation is as serious as my noble friend has suggested.

LORD HAWKE

My Lords, having eaten a herring for my breakfast this morning, may I inquire whether it was an all-purpose herring?