§ 40. Major Sir ARCHIBALD SINCLAIRasked the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been drawn to the January Report of the Scottish Fishery Board on the failure of the winter fishing; and whether he will reconsider his decision in respect to the credits for the replacement of lost and damaged gear, extend these credits after the 31st March next, and modify the conditions, especially in respect of the demand for cash payments, so as to make them more helpful to those fishermen who need them most?
§ Sir J. GILMOURThe reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The decision that the period for receiving applications for loans should close on the 31st March was reached after full consideration of all the circumstances, and I am not prepared to reconsider it.
§ Sir A. SINCLAIRIs the right hon. Gentleman not prepared to modify the condition under which loans must be applied for before 31st March, and is he not aware that many of his supporters at and before the last General Election told the fishermen in Scotland that special support would be given to their claims?
§ Sir J GILMOURI do not see how I can reconsider the terms.