§ 62. Mr. Boothbyasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will consult with the various Departments concerned with a view to increasing the consumption of herring by the armed forces of the Crown; and also the amount of canned herring which are to be stored?
§ The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Colville)I have been in communication with the Service Departments on this subject. Herring do not form part of the standard rations issued in kind, and it is left to the messing authorities concerned to decide what they will buy with the cash messing allowance, according to the wishes of the men. Herring are regularly quoted in the price lists of the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes, and, as my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the War Office stated on 4th July, tinned herring are issued in considerable quantity at stations abroad. I am also informed that cooks attending the Army School of Cookery are taught different ways of preparing herring. It appears, therefore, that, so far as circumstances permit, the Service Departments have this matter fully in view. With regard to the last part of the question, I am informed by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster that his Department have already arranged to pur- 1250 chase all the supplies of canned herring which the manufacturers can offer up to 15th August, and have in view to make additional purchases as further supplies become available.
§ Mr. BoothbyIs my right hon. Friend aware that there is as much nutritional value in a herring as in a beefsteak; and will he make further representations to the Ministers of the Service Departments with a view to having herring made a compulsory article of diet for all the Services?
§ 63. Mr. Boothbyasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is considering extending the powers of the Herring Industry Board?
§ Mr. ColvilleI have no legislation in contemplation to amend the existing Herring Industry Acts, but I am informed that the Herring Industry Board are considering the question of submitting to the Ministers concerned an amending scheme in accordance with the procedure laid down in the Act of 1935.
§ Mr. BoothbyMay we take it that when the amending scheme is presented to my right hon. Friend he will give it favourable consideration?
§ Mr. ColvilleI will give it very careful consideration.
§ Mr. MacquistenWould it not be much better to abolish the Herring Board and all the other boards, which are of no use to these industries?