HC Deb 14 November 1928 vol 222 cc886-7
50. Sir ROBERT HAMILTON

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the East Coast herring fishing has been brought to an end prematurely owing to the curers refusing to increase their stocks, and that the loss thereby caused to the industry is attributed to the want of the Russian market; and whether he is prepared to take any steps to facilitate the reopening of this market?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Herbert Williams)

I have been asked to reply. I understand that the herring curers have cured as much herring as they expect to be able to sell on the existing markets. There has been a considerable decline in the total exports of salted and cured herrings since the War, and there is no doubt that this decline is to a considerable extent due to the reduced amount taken by Russia since the revolution, but the exports to this and to other markets were considerably higher in 1927 than in the previous year, while during the first ten months of this year the exports were about one-half per cent. lower than during the same period of last year. As regards the last part of the question, I have no reason to think that traders in this country cannot do all the business that is possible under existing conditions in Russia.

Sir R. HAMILTON

Is the hon. Member aware that Russia used to take about 1,000,000 barrels of herrings which she does not take now and will the Government therefore take some steps to re-open this market which is now lost?

Mr. WILLIAMS

The statistics are not strictly comparable. If the hon. Member will examine the export of herrings to Russia together with succession States, he will find that the decrease is not in the same proportion.

Sir R. HAMILTON

May I ask if the hon. Member has taken the figures prior to the War of the barrels of herrings imported into Russia? If he now allows for the number imported into the new States of the Baltic, he will find that they are 800,000 or 1,000,000 barrels short.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Actually the proportionate decline of the exports of herrings to other parts of the world is greater than the decline to the Baltic.