§ 30. Mr. HENDERSON STEWARTasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has any statement to make regarding the recent disputes in the herring trade as regards the questions of a minimum wage, curers' discount, and related matters?
§ Sir G. COLLINSI am glad to say that the different sections of the industry at Fraserburgh and Peterhead have settled the dispute by an arrangement whereby voluntary levies will be made 792 available towards a minimum wage scheme; the Herring Industry Board have no funds which could be applied to such a scheme. As regards the question of curers' discount, a meeting will take place at Aberdeen to-morrow between the Herring Industry Board and the Curers' Association to discuss this dispute. The chairman and other members of the board have arranged to visit early next month the main herring ports in Scotland where fishing is in active progress, for the purpose of meeting the fishermen and other sections of the industry.
§ 39. Mr. LEONARDasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is 'aware that the president of the Scottish Kipperers' Association has advised the Herring Board of the sympathy with striking Scottish fishermen expressed at a meeting of canners, kipperers and freshers at Peterhead, and of their willingness to sustain a levy on all purchases to permit the claims of the fishermen to be met; and whether he will take steps to operate machinery which can take advantage of this proposal?
§ Sir G. COLLINSI am glad to say that the offer referred to in the first part of the question has been made and has contributed to the settlement mentioned in my answer to the previous question. Without an amendment of the existing herring industry scheme the board have no power to administer funds contributed by the industry to supplement fishermen's earnings, and therefore in present circumstances any such machinery can only be operated by the industry itself.
§ Mr. LEONARDIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Herring Board has intimated to the Fraserburgh herring trade that they are approaching the Government with a view to having the scheme extended so as to permit of a wages scheme being countenanced by the Government; and if these approaches are made, will he take steps to see that the powers are given?
§ Sir G. COLLINSNo such representations have yet reached me from the Herring Industry Board, but naturally any representations coming from that board will receive my most careful consideration.
§ Mr. HENDERSON STEWARTDoes the right hon. Gentleman understand 793 that the voluntary agreement which was come to at Peterhead is likely to be extended and adopted on other parts of the coast?
§ Sir G. COLLINSA voluntary agreement would undoubtedly be more successful, and I hope that the practice followed at Fraserburgh and Peterhead may be developed in other ports.