§ 41. Mr. HENDERSON STEWARTasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the Herring Industry Board has considered the proposal to organise a herring week in London; and whether he will represent to the board the value of this form of propaganda during the coming autumn when the home market most needs stimulating and press for an early start on the necessary plans?
§ Sir G. COLLINSThe proposal has been communicated to the Herring Industry Board and I am informed that they 1299 will be glad to consider it fully in connection with their investigation into the possibility of developing the home market.
§ Mr. STEWARTWill the right hon. Gentleman convey to the Herring Board that British Industries House has offered to co-operate in this matter and has very special facilities to give to the herring trade if such a demonstration were organised?
§ Sir G. COLLINSI am informed that the board are taking active steps to make all relevant inquiries into what can be done to increase the home market, and no doubt they will get into touch with the body in question.
§ Mr. MACQUISTENIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the fish dealers are charging 6d. a pound for herring although when the agitation was going on the price was lowered temporarily to 4d., and that it is this extravagant charge in the retail shops which is preventing people from buying herring?
§ Sir G. COLLINSAll these matters will come within the purview of the Herring Board.
§ Mr. LUNNWould it not be possible to pass this information on to the London hotels to see whether or not they can encourage the home market rather than the foreign market?
§ Sir G. COLLINSI am sure that questions and answers in this House not only come to the notice of hotels in London but they cover a much larger sphere.
§ Mr. PETHERICKWould it not be much better to organise a herring week in Edinburgh and see how it goes?
§ 50. Mr. STEWARTasked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he can make a statement on the results of the inquiries made into the possibility of openings for British herring in overseas countries?
§ Lieut.-Colonel J. COLVILLEAn inquiry as to possible markets for cured and smoked herring was addressed to 50 overseas posts and, so far 40 replies have been received and examined. While these replies do not point to any large additional markets for cured or smoked herring, there are indications in certain of the replies of some possibilities for 1300 the expansion of the trade. The Department of Overseas Trade is working in co-operation with the other Departments concerned with'a view to following up such openings as the inquiry has revealed.
§ Mr. STEWARTIs the hon. and gallant Member also working in association with the Herring Industry Board?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEYes, Sir.