HC Deb 02 March 1926 vol 192 cc1219-21
31. Sir ROBERT HAMILTON

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of barrels of cured herring exported from Scotland to Germany and Russia in 1911, 1912 and 1913, respectively, and the number exported to Germany, Russia and the Baltic States in 1923, 1924 and 1925, respectively, together with the average prices received; and the amount of unsold stock on hand at the latest available date?

Sir J. GILMOUR

With the hon. Member's permission, I propose to circulate the answer in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the answer:

The number of barrels of cured herrings exported from Scotland to Germany in 1911, 1912 and 1913 was 768,375, 687,790 and 647,087 respectively; the corresponding figures for Russia were 655,814, 750,187 and 619,680 barrels. The number of barrels exported to Germany, Russia and the Baltic States in 1923, 1924 and 1925 was as follow:

— 1923. 1924. 1925.
Germany 494,301 724,137 460,845
Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. — 130,432 56,350
Baltic States 232,548 228,666 121,348
The exports to Germany for 1923–25 include exports to Danzig, to make the figures comparable with the figures for 1911–13. The exports to Danzig for the years 1923–25 were, respectively, 231,686, 223,893 and 82,710 barrels. The average prices received are not known, but the average value per barrel before export was returned as, approximately, 30s. 3d., 32s. 9d. and 39s. 3d. in the years 1911–13, and 27s. 8d., 43s. 7d. and 49s. 2d. in the years 1923–25. The number of barrels on hand in Scotland at the 31st January last (the latest date for which figures are available) was 5,286; it is not known, however, whether these were all unsold.

35. Mr. JOHNSTON

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of the depression prevailing in the Scottish fishing industry due to the closing of the trade in cured herrings with Russia; that before the War Russia imported through her own ports or over her frontier 75 per cent. of the total catch of the Scottish herring fishermen; that, in the considered opinion of the industry, the key to prosperity lies in reopening the Russian market; and whether, in view of these facts, he is now prepared to extend the benefits of the export credits scheme for this particular trade with Russia?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

I have been asked to reply. With regard to the first, third and fourth parts of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Merthyr on 16th February, a copy of which I am sending him. With regard to the second part. I will circulate in the OFFICIAL BEPORT a statement taken from the Reports of the Fishery Board for Scotland, from which it will be seen that in 1913 the proportion of the total quantity of herrings caught and cured in Scotland, which was exported to ports in the countries comprising pre- War Russia, amounted to 32.8 per cent., the corresponding percentage in 1924 being 34 per cent. The corresponding proportions exported to ports in Germany were 35.7 per cent. in 1913, and 31.8 per cent. in 1924.

Mr. JOHNSTON

Has the right hon. Gentleman had any request to receive a deputation for representatives of all parties on the herring fishing industry, and, if so, is he prepared to receive it?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

No, Sir. I do not think I have had such a request. Probably on a subject connected with Scotland it would be convenient that it should be addressed to the Secretary of

Quantity of Herrings. 1913. 1924.
Barrels. Proportion of Total Cured. Barrels. Proportion of Total Cured.
Cured 1,886,596 — 1,722,759 —
Exports to— Per cent. Per cent.
Russia … 619,680 (c) 32.8 130,432 7.6 34
Finland … (a) — 32,040 1.9
Esthonia … (a) — 49,296 2.9
Latvia … (a) — 147,329 8.6
Lithuania … (a) — — —
Poland (including Dantzig) … (b) — 223,893 13.0
Germany … 672,701 (c) 35.7 548,175 31.8
(a) Included with Russia.
(6) Included partly with Russia and partly with Germany.
(c) Pre-War territories.
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