§ 53. Mr. Wolrige-Gordonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what new problems of handling he envisages, subsequent to the introduction of seven purse seiners into the herring catching fleet.
§ Mr. BuchanSince the purse seining technique of catching herring is still novel to British fishermen, and the manner of its deployment has yet to be seen, it is reasonable to suppose that it may result in new problems. Obviously we cannot foresee what these may be, but I am aware that the hon. Gentleman predicts a large surplus of herring and my right hon. Friend is asking the Herring Industry Board to keep in very close touch with developments.
§ Mr. Wolrige-Gordonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland who will be responsible for disposing of the surplus herring which comes on to the market as 85W a result of the expansion of the purse seine net in the Scottish herring fleet.
§ Mr. RossIt has yet to be seen whether the introduction of purse-seining will give rise to supplies beyond the capacity of the existing private enterprise channels, which have been under-supplied at times in the past and whose managements are no doubt alive to the possibilities offered by the enlarged catching capacity. Some transitional problems may, of course, arise and that is why I have asked the Herring Industry Board to watch the situation closely.