HC Deb 22 April 1913 vol 52 cc227-8
35. Captain WARING

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that dissatisfaction was expressed at the annual meeting of the Scottish Fisheries Association at the delay of the Departmental Committee on Loans to Fishermen in issuing their Report; and whether he can give any assurance that the Report will be presented before the end of the Whitsuntide Recess?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

I am aware that a resolution was carried to the effect that the Report should be issued without delay. I am informed that every effort is being made to secure the issue of the Report as soon as possible, but I am not in a position to give the assurance asked by my hon. and gallant Friend.

Mr. MUNRO

Has the right hon. Gentleman any means at his disposal for accelerating the very leisurely movements of the Committee?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

The Committee are not immediately under my control, but I believe that they are anxious to get their Report out as soon as possible. I have been in communication with them.

Mr. COWAN

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Committee appointed by the English Board of Agriculture and Fisheries only last November as to State loans to fishermen in Devon and Cornwall have already reported?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

There is no comparison at all between the scope of the two Committees.

Major ANSTRUTHER-GRAY

Has not the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster informed the House that the Report would not be ready until next autumn?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

The hon. and gallant Gentleman is referring to another Report.

36. Captain WARING

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he has received a resolution passed by the Scottish Fisheries Association on 4th April expressing their anxiety to have the Report of the Interdepartmental Committee on Herring Trawling without delay; whether practical experiments are being carried out to ascertain the damage done by herring traveling; and can he say how long it will be necessary to carry on these experiments before sufficient evidence has been secured?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

I have seen the resolution in question. Experiments have been and are being carried on, and, in order to secure useful results, it will be necessary to continue them throughout the summer and autumn herring season.