§ 31. Mr. KIRKWOODasked the Secretary for Scotland how many fishermen have applied for the Government loan; how many have been approved; and how many nets have been really ordered or supplied?
§ 32. Sir ROBERT HAMILTONasked the Secretary for Scotland the number of nets issued to date under the scheme for the assistance of Scottish fishermen, the number of men who have availed themselves of the scheme, and the extent of the liability incurred by the Government?
Mr. ADAMSONI propose to answer this question together with that put by the hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland. During the short time that has elapsed since the scheme was adopted, nine applications for loans have been 1116 received at the head office of the Fishery Board for Scotland, and eight of these have been approved. I anticipate that further applications will be made in increasing numbers when the fishermen begin to make their preparations for the autumn fishing.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODCan the Secretary for Scotland see his way to let these fishermen have their loans free of interest, instead of charging 5 per cent?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONHas my right hon. Friend taken steps to make the provisions of these loans known to the fishermen in the various ports?
Mr. ADAMSONSteps have been taken to make the provisions of the loans known to the fishermen in the various ports. I am not in a position to carry out the suggestion made by the hon. Member for Dumbarton Burghs (Mr. Kirkwood).
§ Sir F. WISECan the right hon. Gentleman say the amount of the loans applied for?
§ Mr. KIRKWOODHow is it that in this House Irishmen can get a loan of money, free of interest, for building houses when they required them? How is it that my fellow-countrymen cannot get a loan of money free in order to purchase their gear and to carry on their usual occupation?
§ Mr. SPEAKERWe cannot discuss that now.