§ 26. Major Sir A. SINCLAIRasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in view of the exceptionally heavy losses of gear to herring fishermen during the East Anglian fishing last autumn and during the recent winter fishing, the Government will consider giving them credits for the replacement of their lost and damaged gear; and what losses, if any, were suffered by the Government as a result of the scheme for this purpose which was in operation during the financial year 1924–25?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Sir John Gilmour)I am informed that the loss of gear by Scottish herring fishermen during the last East Anglian fishing was not exceptionally heavy, and that the loss during the recent winter fishing was comparatively light. In these circumstances, the necessity for considering such a scheme has not arisen. The period for repayment of loans under the scheme which was in operation in 1924–25 is three years, and until that period has expired the information asked for in the second part of the question will not be available.