§ 32. Sir MURDOCH MCKENZIE WOODasked 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 1338 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 1339 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. WOODAre 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. COLLINSThat 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. WOODDoes 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. COLLINSNo. All the boats that have gone to sea under this agreement will be put on this list.
§ Mr. BOOTHBYIs 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. COLLINSI purposely used the words "in addition."
§ Sir M. WOODWhen is this matter likely to be submitted to the House?
§ Sir G. COLLINSUntil 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.