§ 29. Sir D. Thomsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the conclusions arrived at by his Department which favour motor herring drifters as against steam drifters also indicate that motor trawlers would be more economical than steam trawlers for near or middle water fishing; and whether, in arriving at these conclusions, the effect of the change on the coal industry of the country was considered?
Mr. WedderburnMy right hon. Friend had no occasion to examine the relative economy of different types of vessel for purposes of trawling when he was considering the proposals relating to the herring fleet announced in his reply on 1402 14th April. As regards the second part of the question, the effect on the coal industry has been borne in mind, but the problem had to be decided with regard to the present circumstances of the herring industry.
§ Sir Edmund FindlayIn view of the fact that this change-over will take some time, was it not considered to be in the interests of both the coal industry and the herring industry that some consideration should be given to assisting coal-burning drifters?
Mr. WedderburnThe herring proposals are based upon the view that large motor boats are more economical than steam drifters for herring fishing in present circumstances.