§ 37. Mr. DORANasked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the present depression in our fishing fleet, he will take steps to prohibit the importation of foreign-caught fish, which either forces the English fleet to sell at a price which does not even pay the cost of labour or to lay up the ships?
§ Major ELLIOTI have no power to take the action suggested by my hon. Friend.
§ Mr. DORANIs the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that 631,000 tons of fish were destroyed or turned into artificial manure by our fishing fleets in this country, and is it not time something was done to protect our fishing industry? Cannot the Government see their way clear to take the bull by the horns and entirely prohibit the importation of all foreign-caught fish, seeing that our own people can provide the requirements of Great Britain?
§ Major ELLIOTAs my hon. Friend knows, there is already a duty on imported fish, and there is an application before the Import Duties Advisory Committee for an increase of that duty.
§ Sir MURDOCH McKENZIE WOODIs my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that the imposition of that duty was followed shortly after by an increase of the duty in Germany on cured herrings from this country, which has hit very hard the herring fishing industry of this country?
§ Major ELLIOTI think perhaps my hon. Friend might discuss that with my hon. and gallant Friend the Minister for Overseas Trade.
§ 43. Sir M. WOODasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can explain the form in which the State gives its guarantee to the Norwegian fishing industry for the sale of herrings to Russia?
§ Major ELLIOTThe Norwegian State guarantee in respect of the sale of herrings to Russia takes the form of a State guarantee of the payment of a bill of exchange covering a sale of herrings which may be discounted by certain Norwegian banks. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the regulations.
§ Sir M. WOODWill the right hon. arid gallant Gentleman draw the attention of the Foreign Secretary to this fact when negotiations are proceeding in regard to the new commercial treaty with Russia?
§ Major ELLIOTYes, all these facts will certainly be taken into account.
§ Sir A. M. SAMUELWill my right hon. and gallant Friend bear in mind that the speech made the other day by an hon. Gentleman below the Gangway has done a great deal to injure our herring trade with Russia?