§ DR. CLARK (Caithness)asked the Lord Advocate whether he was aware that several crofters in Caithness applied for loans to the Fishery Board, and received in reply a letter, stating "that certain difficulties have arisen in connection with granting of a number of loans applied for which require great consideration on the part of the Board, but as soon as their decision has been given it will be communicated to you in due course." Could he state what was the 1027 difficulty which prevents the loans being granted; and, whether that difficulty would be removed in time to get boats before the fishing season begins?
§ *MR. J. P. B. ROBERTSONThe difficulty in the way of the Fishery Board proceeding to dispose of the applications was the question about the proportion of value to be advanced on certain boats, and that question has now been disposed of as explained on Monday the 18th in my answer to the question of the hon. Members for Ross and Sutherland.
§ DR. CLARKOnly last year the Treasury agreed, and the hon. Gentleman who represents the Treasury stated that the Government wore going to advance the money, and I want to know why a delay has arisen.
§ *MR. J. P. B. ROBERTSONThe maximum terms agreed upon by the Secretary for Scotland were nine-tenths, but certain modifications of the rules were suggested by the Fishery Board and the Secretary of State is going to modify them.
§ DR. CLARKWhen the Fishery Vote comes on, I will move the reduction of the salary of the Chairman of the Fishery Board.