§ Sir MURDOCH McKENZIE WOOD(by Private Notice) asked the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries whether his attention has been drawn to the suspension of the herring fishing in East Anglia last week; whether he is aware of the gravity of the situation which will arise among fishermen and others if another fishing ends in financial loss; and whether the Government proposes to intervene so as to give the fishermen some hope that, if they continue the prosecution of their calling, they may reap some reward for their labour.
§ Mr. ELLIOTYes, Sir. I am aware that the herring fishing in East Anglia was suspended last week, and of the gravity of the situation. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and myself have been keeping closely in touch with the position, and, as the hon. Member knows, have been in consultation with representatives of the industry. The position in general has been reviewed by the Sea-Fish Commission in their report, which is now under consideration. The Government have been able by negotiation to obtain certain concessions in Poland and other Baltic States and will continue to press for all possible facilities for this industry. The hon. Member can be assured that my right hon. Friend and I will continue to keep in close touch with the situation.
§ Sir M. WOODBut is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the situation to which this question refers has nothing to do with the question which was investigated by the Sea-Fish Commission, but is about the emergency which took place last week? Have the Government taken any steps to prevent a recurrence of what happened last week?
§ Mr. LOFTUSIs my right hon. Friend aware that yesterday the flag went up and the fleets were forbidden to leave the harbour; and, in view of the extreme urgency of the case and of the fact that 34 the fish will be gone in four weeks' time, will my right hon. Friend be in a position to make a statement with regard to effective Government aid either to-day or tomorrow?
§ Mr. ELLIOTI am aware, as my hon. Friend the Member for Banff (Sir M. Wood) said, that the situation is both a short-term and a long-term one. As regards the short-term one, I would draw his attention in particular to the part of my answer in which I said that the Government would continue to press for all possible facilities for this industry—that is, with foreign countries. In reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Lowestoft (Mr. Loftus), who asked at what date any further statement could be made, I understand that negotiations are at present proceeding with the German Government in respect of mutual trade in general, and I hope it will be possible for a statement on that subject to be made before the end of the week.
§ Sir AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINIs my right hon. Friend satisfied that the distributing facilities for the fish, especially for cheap fish, in this country are well organised and afford the best home market?
§ Mr. ELLIOTNo, Sir, but that is one aspect of the situation which was referred to in particular in the report of the Sea-Fish Commission and is clearly part of the long-term remedies as against the immediate remedy for the distressing position of the herring industry.
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINBut is it not a matter of immediate importance to secure that the glut of herring has not more effect than at present on the retail prices?
§ Mr. ELLIOTIt would be difficult, by way of question and answer, to discuss retail prices, but they have in very many towns fallen very considerably.
§ Mr. HARBORDIs my right hon. Friend aware of the strong feeling among the fishermen in the ports of Yarmouth and Lowestoft to the effect that financial assistance should be forthcoming from the Department—a very widely expressed opinion that the Department have failed to give the help that is urgently required? Ruin stares them in the face. [HON. 35 MEMBERS "Order!"] I do ask my right hon. Friend if he is aware of that intense feeling, and is he going to give immediate effect to it before these men are absolutely ruined?
§ Mr. ELLIOTI am certainly aware of the feeling, all the more since we held a very representative conference, at which the representatives of the fishers themselves were present in large numbers. As for immediate assistance, I think it is agreed by all that what is required is an immediate outlet for the fish, purchasers for the fish, and on that question the Government are making all efforts to ensure that, in particular, export markets, which the fishermen themselves say are the all-important factor, are opened as soon as possible.
§ Sir ROBERT HAMILTONWill the right hon. Gentleman consider publishing a summary of the proceedings at the conference at the Scottish Office the other day, showing the points that were raised by the various representatives of the industry who took part in the conference?
§ Mr. ELLIOTI am afraid I could scarcely give that undertaking, nor do I think it would be of very great importance. I will certainly consider any suggestion put forward by my hon. Friend, but I could not hold out any great hopes that such a step would be taken or that it would be useful
§ Mr. MACQUISTENIs my right hon. Friend aware that the retail shop-keeper has still got the war mind and is charging very high prices, and that that is why there is no sale for herring in the home market?
Commander OLIVER LOCKERLAMPSONWill my right hon. Friend meet representatives of the industry in this House?
§ Mr. ELLIOTCertainly. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and I are always most willing to meet any representations by Members of this House.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think that the way out is to nationalise this industry?