HC Deb 27 July 1937 vol 326 cc2840-1
34. Lieut.-Colonel Sir Thomas Moore

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps have been taken by the Herring Industry Board during the past two years to increase the sale of preserved herring in foreign countries; and what steps, in particular, have been taken to develop the sale of kippers and bloaters in the United States of America?

The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Elliot)

The Herring Industry Board have sent representatives to Russia, Poland, Germany, Palestine, Egypt, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia and South Africa for the purpose of examining the prospects of development of markets. They also exhibited at the Levant Fair held at Tel-Aviv in 1936. For more detailed information on the matter I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the annual reports of the board. As regards the second part of the question, the board have come to the conclusion that the cost of propaganda in the United States for developing the sale of kippers and bloaters would be out of proportion to any results which might be achieved, but they are carefully watching the market with a view to possible expansion.

Sir T. Moore

Does not my right hon. Friend realise that advertising always pays when you have a thoroughly good article like herring to sell?

Mr. Macquisten

Does not the Secretary of State believe that, if herring are allowed to be dyed with creosote and other compounds, they will not sell anywhere?

36. Mr. R. Gibson

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what were the total quantities of herring and other fish, respectively, landed at Greenock during each of the years 1886, 1896, 1906, 1916, 1926, and 1936, respectively?

Mr. Elliot

As the reply involves a statistical table, I propose, with the hon. and learned Member's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the table:

Port of Greenock.
Fish landed 1886 to 1936.
Year. Herring. Other Fish. Shell Fish.
Cwts. £ Cwts. £ £
1886 … 8r 41 609 421 214
1896 … — — 1,674 1,345 1,094
1906 … 2,360 720 378 269 846
1916 … — — 80 217 1,132
1926 … 714 376 4 6 656
1936 … 7,105 3,812 26 30 93