§ 44. Sir A. SINCLAIRasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is in a position to state the intentions of the Government with regard to the reduction promised in the Budget of this year of Scottish harbour dues?
Mr. W. ADAMSONThe matter is under careful consideration in connection with other questions affecting the fishing industry but I cannot yet make any statement on the subject.
§ Sir A. SINCLAIRSurely the right hon. Gentleman does not mean that he has to await the report of the Fisheries Committee which has recently been appointed. Can he indicate when we are likely to hear what are the intentions of the Government in this matter?
Mr. ADAMSONWhen I was considering this question, I had not the report of the Fisheries Committee in mind at all.
§ Mr. BOOTHBYIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware that this was a practically separate proposal in the Budget of last year which was supposed to come into operation at the time of the derating scheme in October last; and is he ever going to be able to make any statement about the fishing industry?
§ Mr. BOOTHBYWhen?
§ 53. Sir A. SINCLAIRasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a Return showing the amount of the debt due to the Exchequer from every fishery harbour in Scotland, and also the amount which the Government proposes to remit?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Pethick-Lawrence)I will publish a Return as soon as possible.
§ Mr. BOOTHBYWhen does the hon. Member think that he will be able to publish it? [Interruption.] We have been waiting for it for months.
§ Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCEIf the hon. Member will put down a question on that point he will get an answer.
§ Mr. BOOTHBYI have done so several times.