HC Deb 26 May 1936 vol 312 cc1803-4
9. Mr. T. JOHNSTON

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that at Fraserburgh, on the 15th instant, 350 crans of fresh herring were thrown back into the sea owing to the glutting of the market; whether he is aware that there is a large percentage of the people, especially in areas where there has been prolonged unemployment, underfed and undernourished; and whether the Government propose to take any steps to facilitate the distribution of this surplus food among the needy sections of our population?

Sir G. COLLINS

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. According to inquiries made by the Department of Health there would not appear to be evidence to support the suggestion that a large percentage of people in Scotland are suffering from underfeeding or under-nourishment. I do, however, deplore the destruction of fish, and the Herring Industry Board are giving further consideration to the problem of organising special measures for the disposal of occasional gluts of herring in consultation with the Commissioners for the Special Areas and the Food Council.

Mr. GEORGE GRIFFITHS

Is not the Secretary of State aware that every Thursday in this country there are thousands of women who have nothing whatever to eat because they cannot get any scraps on the Thursday and have to wait for unemployment pay on the Friday?

Sir G. COLLINS

That statement is not borne out by the evidence given to me by my officers and which I have given to the House this afternoon.

Mr. GRIFFITHS

It is borne out by the people who cannot get anything to eat.

Mr. JOHNSTON

Can the right hon. Gentleman say where his officers differ from the conclusions arrived at by Sir John Orr and the other officials of the Rowatt Institute regarding under-feeding and under-nourishment in Scotland?

Sir G. COLLINS

That, I think, would be a more suitable matter for debate in this House than for dealing with by question and answer. I have given the House certain information that I officially possess on the subject.