§ 73. Mr. Malcolm MacMillanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he is taking to check the steeply rising prices for fishing boats, which is discouraging applicants and those operating the Highlands and Islands Fishery Scheme; and if he will refer to the National Board for Prices and Incomes the case of a firm, whose name has been given to him by the Western Isles Crofters Union, and whose tender price for a 75-foot trawler was £49,000 278W in February, 1966 and £56,000 in October of the same year.
§ Mr. RossI am not aware that applicants for boats under the Scheme or those operating the Scheme are being in any way discouraged. On the contrary, I understand that in addition to the initial approvals there is a considerable waiting list of applicants. I also understand that the particular tenders mentioned by my hon. Friend do not relate to boats of the same design and specification.