§ 27. Mr. N. MACLEANasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can make any; statement, regarding the debt position of the Scottish fishing harbours; and what, if any, remissions of debt His Majesty's Government propose to make?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Sir Godfrey Collins)The position as regards debt due to the State by Scottish fishery harbours is set out in Command Paper No. 3447 of 1929 and in House of Commons Paper No. 20, 1931–2. Very substantial remissions of debt due to the Development Fund were made in 1929 amounting in the aggregate to over £130,000. In addition sums amounting in 939 all to over £148,000 were written off in respect of debts due to the Public Works Loan Board in 1930 and 1931, making a total of approximately £280,000. These remissions were made after a comprehensive review of the situation and no occasion has arisen for a further review. In one case, however, which was not ripe for decision in 1929 the question of remitting part of the debt is under consideration.