§ 7. Rear-Admiral Sir MURRAY SUETERasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the AngloRussian Trade Agreement has resulted in the export of herring to Russia, since January, 1934, reaching the expectations of those representatives of the Scottish herring fishing industry who pressed for the agreement?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANRussian purchases of herring since the signature of the Anglo Russian temporary commercial agreement have amounted to 70,000 barrels. The Scottish herring industry not unnaturally would have liked to have secured further orders.
§ 29. Sir M. SUETERasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Russian Government is buying from the Dutch, against partial payment in salt, 25,000 tons of herring; and whether this transaction has been facilitated by a Russo-Dutch Trade Agreement?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI have seen a newspaper report to this effect, but I am informed that the quantity involved was 25,000 barrels not tons. So far as I am aware no trade agreement has been concluded between the Netherlands and Soviet Governments.
§ 36. Sir MURDOCH McKENZIE WOODasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the Government have considered the report of the Sea-Fish Commission on the herring industry; and whether he can 814 say what steps they intend to take with regard to the Commission's recommendations?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Sir Godfrey Collins)The report of the Sea-fish Commission on the herring industry is receiving careful consideration. I cannot at present make any statement as to the action to be taken on the recommendations of the report.
§ Sir M. WOODIs the right lion. Gentleman aware that the delay in formulating the policy of the Government on this important matter is causing some embarrassment to the industry, and can he tell us when he will be able to announce the Government's decision, or at any rate give some idea as to their attitude towards the Committee's recommendations?
§ Sir G. COLLINSAs my hon. and gallant Friend knows, we have been in consultation with the interests concerned, and that only some 12 days ago, and I would ask him to infer from that that there has been no delay so far as the Government are concerned.
§ Sir M. WOODIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that it is some months now since these recommendations were published, and may we not expect from the Government some indication of whether the recommendations may meet with any acceptance on their part?
§ Mr. HENDERSON STEWARTIn view of the fact that the industry represented at the conference to which my right hon. Friend has referred was unanimous—[HON. MEMBERS:" Oh, no."]—with certain very small modifications—in supporting the proposals, would not my right hon. Friend at least give us the assurance that the Government propose to produce a Bill embodying those proposals in principle?
§ Mr. LOFTUSCan we have an assurance that the Bill will be introduced shortly?
Viscountess ASTORCould the right hon. Gentleman ask not only Members of the House of Commons but people generally in the country to make a conscientious effort to eat more herring?
§ Sir G. COLLINSIn regard to the three supplementary questions of my hon. 815 Friends, I can assure them that the Government are fully seized of the urgency of this matter, and that there will be no delay whatever.
§ 38. Sir M. WOODasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will make a statement as to the results of the guarantee given to drifter owners for last summer herring fishing season?
§ Sir G. COLLINSA sum of £11,780 has been paid by the Fishery Board for Scotland in respect of 324 vessels under the scheme of assistance. A few cases are still under consideration.
§ 41. Mr. H. STEWARTasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered the recommendation of the Fishery Board for Scotland relating to the experimental delineation of the Firth of Forth for the more harmonious and efficient prosecution of herring fishing by drift and ring-net boats during the winter season; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?
§ Sir G. COLLINSA by-law dealing with the question of ring-net fishing in part of the Firth of Forth has been made by the Fishery Board for Scotland and submitted to me for confirmation. Until the period for the lodging of representations regarding the by-law has expired I cannot say what action I propose to take in the matter.
§ Mr.STEWARTBefore the right hon. Gentleman takes a decision, and a decision contrary to the recommendations of the Fishery Board, will he meet a deputation representing the united interests of the drift-net fishermen of the Firth of Forth and elsewhere?
§ Sir G. COLLINSThe matter has been very fully considered, and, if the hon. Member thinks that I have not all the information before me to enable me to come to a decision, I will favourably consider his suggestion.