§ 22. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Minister of Food what have been the quantities of herring bought from Scots fishermen and Norwegian fishermen since 1st January.
§ Mr. StracheyIn the period 1st January to 10th April, 1948, 22,000 tons of British-caught herrings were landed at Scottish ports, and 30,500 tons of Norwegian herrings were imported into the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. HughesIs the Minister aware that a strong sense of grievance is felt by Scottish fishermen on this question? A lot of these fishermen are ex-Service men who have had to buy new boats, and cannot we do something more to encourage them?
§ Mr. StracheyWhy there should be a sense of grievance I cannot tell, because of that total of 22,000 tons only 300 tons were used for oil and meal and the whole of the rest were sold at the guaranteed price. Unless they object to the importing of Norwegian herrings, which we very much need, I can see no reason for the grievance.