§ 46. Mr. COWANasked the Prime Minister whether he has received a petition on behalf of the Peterhead Fish Trade Association, the Fraserburgh Fish Curers' Association, and the Wick Fish Trades' Association representing the stagnation of business, and consequent distress, caused by the cessation of export trade in cured herrings due to the War, the accumulation of stocks at ports on the East Coast of Scotland and in the adjacent islands to the value of half a million sterling, and praying that, in order to afford relief to the population engaged in the fishing and allied industries, the Government should purchase cured herrings to be utilised for the feeding of German prisoners of War; and what steps, if any, he proposes to take in the matter?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Asquith)I received the petition referred to yesterday. I am receiving a deputation on this matter this afternoon.