HERRING SUBSIDY (UNITED KINGDOM) SCHEME, 1957 (Hansard, 9 May 1957)

§ THE MINISTER OF STATE, SCOTTISH OFFICE (LORD STRATHCLYDE)
My Lords, I rise to move that the Herring Subsidy (United Kingdom) Scheme, 1957, reported from the Special Orders Committee on Thursday last, be approved. This Scheme provides for the herring subsidy, which is one of the measures authorised by the White Fish and Herring Industries Act, passed just before the Easter Recess. The intention to give herring fishermen direct subsidy was welcomed by your Lordships, and I hope that this Scheme, which sets out the detailed provisions, will also be found acceptable. I think most of the clauses of the Scheme are self-explanatory, and I need not spend any time on them. If your Lordships approve, the Scheme will start on May 13 and run till September 1. We shall review it, along with the white fish subsidy, during the summer, and seek your Lordships' approval of a new Scheme before the Summer Recess.
The intention of Her Majesty's Government, as stated during the passage of the Bill, is to give herring fishermen a subsidy broadly similar in method, amount and duration to the white fish subsidy. The Scheme implements that promise. The subsidy should bring about a substantial increase in the earnings of the herring fleet and enable them to compete with their white fish colleagues on fair terms. Given this temporary measure of help, and the efforts being made by the Herring Industry Board to promote its prosperity in other ways, we have every hope that the industry will eventually be able to support itself from its own resources. I beg to move.

VISCOUNT ELIBANK
My Lords, might I ask the noble Lord whether the basis of this Scheme is the same as applied to Scottish fishermen and to the English herring fishermen?

§ LORD STRATHCLYDE
Yes, my Lords; it is the same and has the same intention.