35. Commander WILLIAMSasked the Minister of Agriculture if he has any fresh information as to the effect of salps on the herring industry; and if his Department has sufficient resources for research work?
Mr. WOODThe fact that the occurrence of large quantities of salps in the northern part of the North Sea in 1921 coincided with a serious decline of the herring fishery suggests that there is some connection between the two events. The responsibility for investigations in the waters in which this invasion of salps occurred is taken by the Fishery Board for Scotland, and perhaps my hon. and gallant Friend will allow me to refer him to my right hon. Friend the Secretary for Scotland for a considered opinion on the question. With reference to the second part of the question, the field of investigation is so wide and varied that it would be rash to describe any resources as sufficient. I am at the present time considering carefully the possibility of increasing our existing means of research at sea.