HC Deb 04 March 1946 vol 420 cc10-2
27. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to assist the restoration to prewar prosperity of the various industries in the City of Aberdeen, notably those relating to granite, box making, cask making, fish curing, edible oils and fats and their subsidiaries.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (Dr. Edith Summer-skill)

I have been asked to reply. As regards box making and cask making for fish and other commodities with which my Department is concerned, all applications for timber from Aberdeen have been met, and all other possible assistance given. My right hon. Friend has taken all practicable steps towards increasing the capacity and output of the fish curing industry in the city. Owing to the acute shortage of oils and fats, it is not at present possible to say when the production of edible oils and fats in Aberdeen can be resumed at the peacetime level. The granite industry is outside the scope of the Ministry of Food.

Mr. Hughes

Is the hon. Lady in a position to give any further information about Tullis's factory, Aberdeen, which was turned from war production to peace production? When will it be in full production, and how many workers will it employ?

Dr. Summerskill

I will let my hon. Friend have that information.

Mr. Boothby

Is the hon. Lady aware that herrings are an admirable substitute for edible oils?

28. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the President of the Board of Trade why he has not granted to the Aberdeen firm who applied for it a licence to import from Holland coopers rushes and coiled willow hoops required for manufacturing casks for edible oils and fats, cured fish, distilleries and other merchants' produce; and if he will take steps to help our import and export trade by granting this licence and others required for similar purposes by other Aberdeen firms.

Sir S. Cripps

Licences were issued on 28th February to the only Aberdeen firm who have applied to import the goods referred to by my hon Friend. Applica- tions from other Aberdeen firms to import similar goods from Holland will be sympathetically considered.