HC Deb 06 March 1956 vol 549 c1916
39. Mr. John MacLeod

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many herrings landed at Ullapool, Gairloch, Kyle and Inverness from October, 1955, to the latest available date were sold for human consumption, and how many for processing.

Mr. J. Stuart

As the reply involves a table of figures I shall, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. MacLeod

Can my right hon. Friend say whether more herrings are landed for processing than for human consumption, or vice versa?

Mr. Stuart

For human consumption, 39,213 crans were sold and for oil and meal, 30,000 crans were sold, so that human consumption wins, unless we add in what is sold for pet food, which is 26.557 crans.

Mr. MacLeod

Do not those figures show that there should be a processing factory in Ross-shire, where so many of these herrings are landed? Do they not also show that the Herring Industry Board is quite wrong in not designating one of the mainland ports as an A port, because the fisherman will go there anyway? Why should they be denied the maximum price for standard herrings?

Mr. Stuart

That is not the Question which appears on the Order Paper, but I shall be very glad to supply my hon. Friend with any further information which he may require.

Following is the information:

HERRING LANDINGS AND DISPOSALS (1ST OCTOBER, 1955–18TH FEBRUARY, 1956)
— Total Catch Sold for human consumption Sold for petfood Sold for oil and meal
Grans Crans Crans Crans
Ullapool 10,937 5,491 1,052 4,394
Gairloch 29,448 17,556 834 11,058
Kyle 939 201 — 738
Inverness 54,932 15,965 24,671 14,296
Total 96,256 39,213 26,557 30,486