HC Deb 11 June 1934 vol 290 cc1337-9
32. Sir MURDOCH MCKENZIE WOOD

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can make any statement with regard to the proposals recently submitted by the herring-fishing industry for the grant of temporary assistance by the Government?

The SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Sir Godfrey Collins)

Yes, Sir. I met representatives of the herring producers' associations on Friday, when agreement was reached on schemes by which, subject to the approval of Parliament, funds will be provided up to a limit of £50,000 for the purpose of loans at 3 per cent. repayable in three years for the purchase of nets, and in addition the Government will undertake to meet any amount by which the boat's share of the net earnings at the end of the season falls short of £50 or the actual expenditure on fitting out, whichever is less. The undertaking will apply to Scottish or English drifters of over 65 feet in length which engage in the summer herring fishing from ports in Scotland and on the North East Coast of England and are included in a list containing not more than 1,000 vessels submitted by the producers' associations to the Fishery Departments not later than 14th July. The Government undertaking will only operate if the number of drifters of the type specified which have commenced fishing on or before 7th July is under 1,000. I desire to emphasise this condition. Supplementary Estimates for the provision of the necessary funds will be submitted to the House and full particulars of the schemes will be published immediately.

Sir M. WOOD

Are we to understand that if the number of boats slightly exceeds 1,000, the whole liability of the Government under the second heading falls to the ground?

Sir G. COLLINS

That is a hypothetical question. I made it very clear to the members of the herring producers' associations that the Government undertaking was only given on the understanding that the number would not exceed 1,000.

Sir M. WOOD

Does that mean that a boat that proceeds to sea now does not know whether in fact eventually there will be any undertaking by the Government at all?

Sir G. COLLINS

No. All the boats that have gone to sea under this agreement will be put on this list.

Mr. BOOTHBY

Is the second part of the right hon. Gentleman's proposal expected to be defrayed by the £50,000, or is it in addition?

Sir G. COLLINS

I purposely used the words "in addition."

Sir M. WOOD

When is this matter likely to be submitted to the House?

Sir G. COLLINS

Until I receive particulars of the money required, it would not be in keeping with the practice of Parliament to submit Estimates. Full particulars in detail will be published at the very earliest moment.