§ 39. Sir ROBERT HAMILTONasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the areas in which experiments have been carried out for spotting herring shoals from aircraft; the dates on which those experiments were made; and whether experienced fishermen were carried as observers?
§ Mr. WESTWOODDetailed information regarding the experiments carried out in 1924 is contained in a report published by the Fishery Board for Scotland of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy. The area of survey embraced practically all the grounds fished by the fleets operating from ports between Peterhead and Stronsay, and the period of operations was a period of four weeks from 9th July, 1924. The observers carried were experts drawn from the Fishery Board's scientific and fishery staff with special knowledge of the areas concerned and of fishing conditions generally.
§ Sir R. HAMILTONWill the hon. Gentleman ask his right hon. Friend to consider the possibility of carrying out experiments in Shetland waters as the conditions there are more akin to those which occur in Icelandic waters, where such experiments have been so successful?
§ Mr. WESTWOODI shall certainly convey the hon. Member's suggestion to my right hon. Friend.
§ Mr. ERNEST BROWNMay I respectfully ask the hon. Gentleman if he will suggest to his right hon. Friend, next time, that some practical measures should be taken up as well as scientific observation?
§ Mr. WESTWOODAll practical suggestions will be conveyed to my right hon. Friend.