HC Deb 08 February 1938 vol 331 cc826-7

The following Question stood upon the Order Paper in the name of Mr. BOOTHBY:

28. To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether His Majesty's Government propose to make any changes in the constitution and powers of the Herring Industry Board?

Mr. Boothby

On a point of Order. I put this question down to the Secretary of State for Scotland.

The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Elliot)

I have been asked to reply. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries and I received a deputation representing the British Herring Trade Association and the Scottish Herring Producers' Association on this subject on 3rd February. The matter is under active consideration, in conjunction with other matters relating to the herring industry, and, as I stated yesterday, an announcement will be made as soon as possible.

Mr. Boothby

Can the right hon. Gentleman hold out any hope of legislation this Session?

Mr. Elliot

I would prefer that the hon. Member should await the announcement.

63. Mr. Gallacher

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that William Buchan, skipper of the herring fishery boat "Boy Arthur," P.D. 1, applied to the Herring Board for a loan to refit his boat; that the Herring Board promised him a loan up to £375 on condition that he arranged for a survey; that he got a surveyor from Lloyd's, who estimated that £251 would be sufficient to put the boat in condition; that he applied for a loan to this amount; and that, after months of waiting, the Herring Board sent up another surveyor, who estimated that it would take £800 to put the boat in condition and thereupon condemned the boat; and will he make inquiries into this case and the cause of the wide discrepancy in the survey estimates?

Mr. Elliot

I am informed that Mr. Buchan applied to the Herring Industry Board on 30th March, 1936, for a loan for re-conditioning his boat under a scheme published on 5th March, 1936, which provided that no loan would be granted in excess of £375, but that no promise of a loan was made to Mr. Buchan. On 1st May, 1936, the board's surveyor, after an inspection in accordance with the scheme, reported that the cost of re-conditioning would be at least £728, and on 4th May Mr. Buchan was informed that a loan could not be granted as the cost was so much in excess of the maximum of £375. The estimate of £251 referred to in the question was, I understand, obtained by Mr. Buchan in February, 1936, before he applied for a loan. I am informed that it did not cover many items of repairs which the board's surveyor found necessary.

Mr. Gallacher

Is not the Minister aware that the Herring Board, when the application for a loan was made, offered a loan on condition that Mr. Buchan got a survey made, and that a Lloyd's surveyor estimated the cost of the repairs at this sum? Is the Minister further aware of the very deep bitterness that exists among the fishermen at the scandalous treatment they are getting from the Herring Board?

73. Mr. Boothby

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether any steps are being taken by His Majesty's Government to increase the export of cured herring to the Continent, and particularly to Germany and Russia?

Mr. Stanley

I have been asked to reply. I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave him on 9th November last.

Mr. Boothby

Will my right hon. Friend consider the possibility of making direct representations to the Russian Government in view of the very small number of herring they have purchased this year?

Mr. Stanley

I am receiving representations in the next few days on the whole question of trade with Russia.

Mr. Radford

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that the most helpful course which the Government can take to increase the consumption of herring will be to make illegal the dyeing and chemical treatment of the fish which is now carried on?