§ Sir R. HAMILTONasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he can make a statement as to the present condition of the Scottish drifter fleet; and if he has proposals for assisting the fishermen to replace worn-out boats?
Mr. W. ADAMSONThese matters are under the consideration of the Economic Advisory Council's Committee on the Fishing Industry, and I would refer the hon. Member to my reply of 4th November last to the hon. and learned Member for East Fife (Mr. Millar) in which I. stated that the question would receive the Government's careful consideration in the light of the Committee's report.
§ Sir R. HAMILTONasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is now in a position to state if arrangements have been made with the Secretary of State for Air for carrying out further experiments in the spotting of herring shoals from aircraft?
Mr. ADAMSONI have made inquiries in this matter, with particular reference to the experiments which have been carried out in Iceland. I understand that it is only in Icelandic waters that any measure of success has attended such experiments, and the conditions there are 1883W much more favourable than those which prevail in Scottish waters. The opinion of the Fishery Board and of the Air Ministry is that little or no advantage would be gained by further experiments. Watch is, however, being kept for any developments in other countries.