§ 18. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Minister of Food if he will consider improving the facilities for the distribution of herrings in the West of Scotland, so that the Clyde fishermen will be guaranteed a market for their catches.
§ Mr. StracheyI have arranged a contract for 6,000 tons of klondyked herrings for Germany to be shipped from Gourock if supplies are available. Herrings landed by Clyde fishermen at Portpatrick, Ayr and Gourock are eligible for free outward carriage to inland markets.
§ Mr. Emrys HughesIs the Minister aware that on 7th January the ports of Ayr, Campbelltown, and Tarbert were closed to the fishermen owing to the fact that 1,500 baskets had been sent to the fish meal factory the previous day, and that, the next day, they limited the factory to 200 baskets. Will he look into the facilities for distribution in this country, where there is a great demand for food, especially in the West of Scotland, and see if the method of distribution can he improved?
§ Mr. StracheyI am aware that there are difficulties in the distribution of herrings, but I would not accept the implication that it was not worth while sending herrings to the meal factory for the production of oil which makes margarine, which is very useful.