§ 52. Mr. LEACHasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been drawn to the wholesale destruction of fish a few days ago at Lerwick, Shetland Isles, owing to an unfavourable market; and will he consider the introduction of a scheme, in association with suitable local authorities, whereby the wastage of food resources shall be avoided?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEI am informed that on 15th May a quantity of herring were thrown back into the sea at Lerwick, owing to glutting of the market. The Herring Industry Board view such occurrences with concern, and my right hon. Friend shares that feeling. The incident occurred before the main fishing season started, and the board's information is that the herring were unsuitable for home consumption. The measures taken by the board, including regulation of fishing, commencement of curing, and general advertising, will tend to diminish the risk of glut in the main season. The problem of organising special measures for the disposal of occasional gluts in areas of heavy unemployment is a difficult one, but the board are giving it further consideration in consultation with the Commissioners for the Special Areas and the Food Council.
§ Mr. LEACHIn view of the way in which these frequent occurrences shock the public conscience and, I am sure, 1635 shock his own conscience, too, will the hon. and gallant Gentleman undertake to take some measures, with the Cabinet, of a drastic kind in order to put a stop to such folly?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEAs I explained in my answer, the question of organising special measures is under consideration, but it is a difficult problem.
§ Sir ARTHUR MICHAEL SAMUELCan my hon. and gallant Friend say why these boats are allowed to go to sea to catch quite immature fish that is not fit for food?
§ Mr. T. JOHNSTONIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that it is not only at Lerwick that this proceeding has taken place, but that more recently at Fraserburgh, a third of a million first-class herring have been thrown back into the sea; and will the Secretary of State undertake to discuss with his colleagues in the Government the taking of immediate steps to stop this destruction of food and these gluts of food in the midst of semi-starvation?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEI can only properly be expected to answer questions on the Paper, and the right hon. Gentleman has raised a quite separate case. I have informed the House that the Herring Industry Board and my right hon. Friend view such occurrences with concern, and that the matter is under their consideration.