§ 1. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to facilitate the conversion of the fishing fleets of the North of Scotland from coal-burning to oil-burning ships.
§ The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. James Stuart)The White Fish Authority already has power to make loans for this purpose. It has recently proposed that grants should also be available. This proposal would require legislation, and the Government are at present considering it.
§ Mr. HughesWhile we realise the power of the White Fish Authority, does not the Secretary of State appreciate that the matter has an important bearing upon national problems of food and fuel and power, on the potentialities of the fishing fleet, and on the rights and expectations of consumers all over the country? Will he take all those matters into account in order to introduce the legislation to which he has referred so as to solve the problem?
§ Mr. StuartIt was only last month that the Authority submitted proposals to the Government, and I should like time to consider them.