§ Sir H. NIELDasked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the large catches of haddock and other marketable fish by the fishing boats of Aberdeen, and to the subsequent destruction of considerable portions by dumping the fish back into the sea or throwing portions on the dungheap; if these statements be true why such a waste has been permitted, when large industrial populations, both in Scotland and the North of England, are in urgent need of food by reason of the prevailing conditions of extensive unemployment; and whether, if there be no power to deal with such action, he will consider the desirability of initiating immediate legislation to prevent its repetition?
§ Mr. MUNROI have been asked to reply to this question. It is the case that during last week 196 boxes of small haddocks and other fish were returned to the sea at Aberdeen. These fish were in such bad condition, owing to delays in 257W landing and the hot weather prevailing, as to be unfit for human consumption. Normally these fish would have been sent to manure factories, but the latter are at present closed down owing to lack of coal. In these circumstances, the last part of the question does not appear to arise.