§ Commander Marsdenasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will consult with the Herring Fishery Board with a view to recommending the Aberdeen and other fishery firms to use echometers for locating herring shoals in deep-sea areas, similar to the electrical devices used in the sheltered areas near Loch Fyne, so as to avoid the waste of time in discovering the presence of the shoals by sounding and charting and observation?
§ Mr. ElliotThe detection of herring shoals by means of echo sounders is being tested by the Fishery Board for Scotland in two of their vessels the "Explorer" and the "Vigilant" but so far without success. It seems doubtful, according to my present information, whether echo sounders will prove efficacious for this purpose in the circumstances of the British herring fishery. The Fishery Board for Scotland will, however, continue their investigations and the question will be kept under review by them and by the Herring Industry Board. I understand that the instrument used in the Loch Fyne area is the feeling wire and not an echo sounder or electrical device.
§ Major Neven-Spenceasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the only practicable method of dealing with gluts of stale and immature herring is to convert them into meal for 1872W stock-feeding purposes; and whether he can say if any progress has been made in this direction?
§ Mr. ElliotI would refer my hon. and gallant friend to paragraph 85 of the Second Annual Report of the Herring Industry Board which indicates that, after making investigations, the board have reached the conclusion that the establishment of a factory for the purpose of dealing with gluts is not an economic proposition in present circumstances.