§ 28. Mr. Wolrige-Gordonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland on what criteria he has based his assessment of the prices which would need to be paid for the herring catch to bring about an increase in the number of the herring drift net fleet.
§ Mr. NobleI have not attempted any such assessment. I would expect the herring drift net fleet to increase as it usually does when the Scottish summer fishing begins.
§ Mr. Wolrige-GordonIs my right hon. Friend aware that in the Buchan ports the herring drift net fleet diminished from 80 boats to 30 boats in a period of just over two years, owing to the starvation prices paid for herring to be converted to fishmeal and oil? If an economic price had been paid for these herring the herring fleet could have survived, and the fishmeal and oil trade could also have done good business.
§ Mr. NobleI am aware of the exact position and the number of the herring drift net fleet, because my hon. Friend has told me quite often. Nevertheless, it is true that in many years in the past—indeed, last year—the fleet dropped to about 40 at this time of year. I hope that fair herring prices and good catches will enable the fleets to keep steady through the years, but this is something that the Government cannot control.
§ Sir J. MacLeodCan my right hon. Friend say what prices herring for fish-meal are fetching?
§ Mr. Wolrige-GordonIs my hon. Friend aware that this process of diminution has gone on for a long time? It used to be 40 boats, and now it is 30. How can what my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State described the 428 other day as reasonable financial support be regarded as such if the industry continues to diminish in spite of it?
§ Mr. NobleI have not yet had an opportunity of seeing the operating accounts for the herring fleet for 1963. My impression is that over the whole year it has not done badly, but I cannot give a firm answer.
§ 34. Mr. Wolrige-Gordonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what are his plans to restore the overall catching strength of the herring drift net fleet to at least 80 boats.
§ Mr. NobleDrift-net fishing for herring is usually on a small scale at this time of year and I have no reason to suppose that the fleet will not increase when the summer fishing gets under way in May or June.
§ Mr. Wolrige-GordonHas my right hon. Friend any record of the amount by which the herring drift net fleet has decreased in numbers since 1946?