§ Mr. ROBERT HARCOURTasked the Lord Advocate whether he has any information concerning the Old Sea Fishing Fund of the Norwegian Government; whether, since the fund was started, sums exceeding £100,000 in value have been lent out for the purchase of about 750 fishing vessels and motor-boats; and whether the benefits to the Norwegian fishing industry have been considerable; and, if so, will he consider the advisability of taking similar steps with a view to loans to Scottish fishermen?
§ Mr. UREI am informed that loans have been issued from the Norwegian Old Sea 2006 Fishery Fund to the amount stated by my hon. Friend. Of recent years, however, loans have only been made on the guarantee of a municipality from which the repayments are collected as they fall due. On the general question of loans to fishermen I would refer to my reply of yesterday to my hon. Friend the Member for Ross and Cromarty.