§ 35. Major WARINGasked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health whether he is aware that Scottish herring fishermen have found their calling seriously hampered by markets being flooded with herrings from Norway; that a desire is expressed that these fish should be marked when manufactured into kippers and reboxed; and whether he will initiate legislation in the matter?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY for HEALTH, SCOTLAND (Captain Elliot)The importation of Norwegian herrings takes place mainly during the spring months, when herrings are not being caught on any great scale from British ports. The Norwegian imports are landed in England and are chiefly sold in England. Their competition probably has some effect on the price realised for the Scottish catch during the last few weeks of the Scottish 1162 winter fishing, but the quantities imported have been substantially less during recent years than they were before the War. My Noble Friend has no information as to the prevalence of a desire such as is mentioned in the second part of the question. He does not propose to initiate legislation in the matter.
§ Sir A. SINCLAIRIs the hon. Gentleman aware that these herrings are brought in as early as February, in the middle of the herring fishing, and that they cause a great deal of difference in the price of herrings obtained by the Scottish fishermen, and that strong feeling is felt by the Scottish fishermen?
§ Mr. HARRISAre not these cheap herrings much appreciated in large cities?