§ 3. Mr. Wolrige-Gordonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will now institute an inquiry into the administration of the herring industry.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Scotlanr (Mr. J. A. Stodart)In the light of the full explanation which my right hon. Friend had from the Chairman of the Herring Industry Board following the mistake which was made over the buying price at Stornoway last winter, and of the review of its headquarters management which the Board has been carrying out, he sees no benefit in holding such an inquiry.
§ Mr. Wolrige-GordonIs my hon. Friend aware of the figures that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has given to this House, to the effect that in 1946 there were 622 Scottish boats mainly concerned with herring fishing and in 1963 there were 189, yet in 1946 the Herring Industry Board employed 34 non-industrial staff and in 1963 it employed 68 non-industrial staff and about 114 industrial staff? Even excepting the industrial staff, this represents a rise of double the amount of staff to deal with 433 fewer fishing boats. What is the reason for it?
§ Mr. StodartThese are matters into which the Chairman has been inquiring, and he will be reporting the Board's conclusions to my right hon. Friend very shortly.
§ Mr. Wolrige-GordonWill the result of that inquiry be made public so that fishermen and hon. Members have a chance to assess the situation accurately?
§ Mr. StodartI should have thought that it would certainly be in the Report of the Herring Industry Board.