§ Sir D. Thomsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been drawn to the statement in the report of the Fishery Board for Scotland for 1938 that the high price of coal is a severe handicap to steam fishing vessels; and whether he can give any figures regarding the increase in the price of the coal used by these vessels since 1935?
§ Mr. ColvilleI am aware of the statement in question. As the hon. Member will appreciate, the price of bunker coal at any one time varies according to a number of factors, including the location of the port, the quality, and the conditions of supply; but I am informed that for the port of Aberdeen, which is the chief trawling centre in Scotland, the price has increased from an average of about 24s. 3d. per ton in 1935 to about 28s. 6d. at the present time.