§ 2. Sir A. SINCLAIRasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been drawn to the decline week by week in the amount of the subscriptions to the voluntary fund in aid of the sufferers from the recent fishing disaster and to the increasing public demand for a Government contribution to the fund; whether. His Majesty's Government have yet decided whether or not to make such a contribution; and, if so, on what scale?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Mr. William Adamson)With regard to the first part of the question I am informed that the present total of the Relief Funds is about£21,300 and I would deprecate anything being said in the House which would tend to discourage further subscriptions from the public. In reply to the last two parts of the question I refer to the reply which I gave on Tuesday last to the hon. and gallant Member for Banff (Major Wood).
§ Sir A. SINCLAIRDoes the right hon. Gentleman realise that nobody has done more than himself to discourage subscriptions, and that it is the prevalent feeling in Scotland that, if only the Government would contribute towards this fund, additional private subscriptions would be obtained?
§ Sir FREDERICK THOMSONWill not the right hon. Gentleman seriously consider the granting of loans to fishermen at a low rate of interest as the best solution of this difficulty?
§ Mr. ADAMSONI ought to say, in reply to the first supplementary question, that I do not agree with the hon. and gallant Member, because we have had question after question put in this House which, in a way, has discouraged public subscriptions. [HON. MEmsEas: "No!"] Oh, yes. We had an hon. Member shouting across the Floor of the House that they did not want charity, and we had another hon. Member asking if—[Interruption.]
§ Mr. SPEAKERI think we had better not pursue the question of liability for discouragement any further.
§ Mr. ERNEST BROWNWe do not accept the statement all the same. It is most unfair. [HON. MEMBERS: "Answer!"]
§ Sir F, THOMSONWill the right hon. Gentleman answer my supplementary question?
§ Mr. ADAMSONI have been examining this difficulty from every point of view, and the point mentioned by the hon. Member is, I can assure him, under my consideration.
§ Sir A. SINCLAIRIf these loans are issued at a low rate of interest, is the voluntary fund to be used to pay the interest?
§ 7. Major McKENZIE WOODasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what arrangements he proposes to make for administering the Fishermen's Relief Fund; and whether he will consult the fishermen and others in the different areas before finally deciding upon a definite scheme?
§ Mr. ADAMSONAs the result of a communication addressed to me by the Lord Provost of Edinburgh a meeting of the Lord Provosts which I shall attend, together with representatives of the Fishery Board, is being held on Saturday next to consider the question of coordinating their relief funds and consequential administrative arrangements.
§ Major WOODAre we to understand that this conference is only going to be attended by representatives of the Fishery Board and Lord Provosts? What is going to happen? How are the fishermen going to make their views known?
§ Mr. DUNCAN MILLARWill the right hon. Gentleman see to it that all those burghs where funds are being raised will be represented at this conference, and that a public statement will afterwards be made to inform the public as to the methods to be adopted in distributing the fund?
§ Mr. ADAMSONIt is a preliminary meeting, and I have informed the hon. and gallant Member who are to be at the meeting—the Lord Provosts and the representatives of the Fishery Board. I hope to be able to attend myself.
§ Mr. BOOTHBYWill the right hon. Gentleman summon, at any rate, the Provosts of the principal fishing ports to this meeting as well as the Lord Provosts of Edinburgh and Glasgow?
§ Mr. ADAMSONI have already intimated who will be invited to the preliminary meeting.
§ Major WOODWill the right hon. Gentleman give us a pledge that nothing will be done that cannot be reviewed without giving these fishermen and the people engaged in the industry an opportunity of putting their views?
§ Mr. ADAMSONI think, on reflection, that the hon. and gallant Member will see that it is impossible for me, as an individual, to give him any pledges.
§ Major COLFOXWill the right hon. Gentleman make sure that Scotland does not get an unfair advantage?
§ 10. Mr. MILLARasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the total sum now raised by the various relief funds instituted in connection with the fishing disaster off the East Anglian coast; and what arrangements have been made for the administration and distribution of the funds?
§ Mr. ADAMSONI am informed that the present total of the relief funds is about£21,300. In reply to the last part of the question, I refer to the reply which I have given to the hon. and gallant Member for Banff (Major Wood).
§ Mr. BOOTHBYIn view of the total inadequacy of the fund that is being raised, will the right hon. Gentleman reconsider his decision not to give any assistance?
§ Mr. SPEAKERHon. Members are worrying the subject almost to death.