HC Deb 02 November 1909 vol 12 cc1649-50
Mr. CATHCART WASON

asked the Lord Advocate if he is aware that the total number of herrings landed in Shetland this year shows a marked decrease; and if he will take the necessary steps to inquire whether the whaling operations have contributed to that decrease?

The LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. Ure)

It is the case that the Shetland herring fishing (1st June to 30th September) showed a decrease as compared with the figures for 1908, the catches being 397,615 crans and 549,365 crans respectively. The value of the catch, however, increased from £377,568 to £509,403. There is no reason to suppose that the decrease was due to whaling operations. As a matter of fact, the herring fishery all along the East Coast of Scotland—where no whaling operations are carried on—showed a similar decrease.

Mr. CATHCART WASON

asked, in view of the fact that the Secretary for Scotland and the Fishery Board have always held that no proof exists that the whale-fishing in Shetland waters is injurious to the herring-fishing, what steps the Secretary for Scotland and the Fishery Board have taken or propose to take to obtain proof in regard to this question?

Mr. URE

As my hon. Friend is aware, a full inquiry was held into this question by a Departmental Committee, on which legislation followed in 1907. The effect of the Act of 1907 will be carefully observed, but the Government do not at present see sufficient reason for instituting further inquiry.

Mr. CATHCART WASON

asked if the Scottish Fishery Board's opinion that whale hunting in Shetland does not injure the herring fishery industry is largely the result of evidence on the subject laid before them by the Board's scientific expert, Professor D'Arcy Thompson; and whether the Secretary for Scotland can state if Professor Thompson was then and is still a shareholder and director of the Alexandra Whaling Company?

Mr. URE

The policy of the Government in regard to whale fishing is expressed in the Act which was passed in 1907 after inquiry by a Departmental Committee of which Professor Thompson was not a member. He has never been a director of the company referred to, and as my hon. Friend was informed in reply to a similar question, the Secretary for Scotland does not think it necessary to inquire into the question of shareholding.