§ Sir D. Thomsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of the difficulties at present confronting the trawling industry in Aberdeen owing to increasing costs and decreasing revenue; and whether he has any proposal to make?
§ Mr. ElliotI am aware of the difficulties referred to in the question. As already announced by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, the Government propose to introduce as early as possible legislation dealing with the organisation of the white fish industry. At the instance of the trawling industry I am examining, in consultation with the Minister, the question whether it is practicable under the existing law, as an interim measure, to prescribe a mark for fish caught in near waters. This question is one of some complexity and I am not yet in a position to intimate a decision.