MR. CATHCART WASONI beg to ask the Prime Minister if he is aware that the herring fishing on the West Coast of Shetland has steadily fallen off since whaling companies embarked on the indiscriminate wholesale destruction of whales, and that this year it is a total failure; that now Balta Sound and the 1621 East Coast are menaced; and whether, in view of the importance of the herring fishing, both from a local and national point of view, he will treat the matter as one of extreme urgency.
§ MR. SINCLAIRAs I have already informed my hon. friend, the former part of the Question is an expression of opinion and a matter of controversy. With regard to the latter part, my hon. friend is aware that legislation has been introduced to deal with the regulation of whaling, and it is the intention of the Government to pass that measure into law.
§ MR. SINCLAIRIn some parts it has, but in other parts it has not. It is a matter of opinion.
§ MAJOR ANSTRUTHER-GRAY (St. Andrews Burghs)Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the consensus of opinion among Scottish fishermen is that great harm is done by this whale fishing industry?
§ MR. SINCLAIRNo, Sir; there are great differences of opinion on that point.
§ MR. MORTONasked if the Bill on the subject; could not be proceeded with at once.
MR. CATHCART WASONsuggested that as it was practically unopposed it might be taken at an early date.
§ MR. SINCLAIRsaid he feared that the Questions that afternoon did not carry out that view.