§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Clause stand part of the Bill."
§ Mr. LoftusI should like to take this opportunity of drawing attention to a 2093 matter mentioned in line 31 of the Clause. Authority is given for making loans, amongst other things, for acquiring nets. I should like the right hon. Gentleman to bring to the notice of the Herring Board the prime urgency of new nets. At present I think I can safely say that the industry is deficient, by two-thirds, of the nets required. Therefore I hope these loans for nets will have a priority and that authority will be given as soon as possible to manufacturers to provide them, because without nets we cannot have the fish. In the same line, fuel for the boats is mentioned and loans are authorised for that purpose. That is an immensely important problem to the whole industry, both in Scotland and in England—the question of getting the fuel at the cheapest possible price, whether coal or oil, and using it in the most economical way. I hope that loans will be utilised for that purpose.
The Clause also mentions the making of loans for kippering. I referred on Second Reading to the question of dyed kippers. I am surprised by the numerous letters I have had, including some from fishmongers and one from a doctor, thanking me for doing so and urging that something should be done about the matter. I suggest that the best way of using these loans for kippering would be to establish some standard brand of quality. We know the reason for dyed kippers. A proper kipper should be smoked for 12 hours. A dyed kipper is smoked for two to three hours and dipped in dye. The first advantage is that the dyed kippers are 21 stone to the cran, and the properly smoked kipper, being drier, is about 18 or 19 stone to the cran, so that the curers make more profit out of dyed kippers. It is claimed that the dyed kipper looks brighter and fatter. Some standard of quality should be imposed, and that would do a great deal to help the trade.
Mr. JohnstonWith a great deal of what my hon. Friend has said we are in entire agreement. The dyed kipper has not made for the proper development of this industry, particularly in the home market, and we are all agreed that kippers smoked with oak chips, are infinitely to be preferred to kippers dyed by a chemical dye. This Clause, on which my hon. Friend has rather ingeniously raised this issue, provides only for advances by the Board to societies or organisations formed for 2094 the purpose of acquiring nets, gear, fuel for boats and other requisites. My hon. Friend may take it that when these societies or organisations are being formed to provide these requisites in a co-operative way, the highest possible standard of equipment and organisation will be secured.
§ Mr. LoftusWill my right hon. Friend bear in mind priority for nets?
§ Question, "That the Clause stand part of the Bill," put, and agreed to.
§ Clauses 5 to 9 ordered to stand part of the Bill.