§ Mr. Boothbyasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (1) whether he is aware that, owing to the breakdown of distribution and the absence of any organisation capable of dealing with large supplies, the Scottish herring fleet had to be tied up for a considerable period during the summer fishing; and what steps he has taken to remedy the position;
(2) whether he is aware that there is a considerable unsatisfied demand for cured herring; and whether he will revise the present schedule of prices in view of the fact that curers are unable to make a profit if they pay more than £2 10s. a cran for herring at the port of landing;
(3) whether, with a view to facilitating the distribution of herring, he will revise the present allocation lists of buyers, and permit the free movement of herring for processing throughout the country?
§ Mr. MabaneI am aware that the herring fishing vessels in the Moray Firth and Firth of Clyde did not go to sea on a number of nights during the summer fishing. In the Moray Firth area the large quantity actually landed fully supplied the demand of the market at the ports and there are no restrictions on sales by coastal merchants or processors. The quality of the Firth of Clyde herring rendered them suitable for only a limited market. My Noble Friend is meanwhile unaware of any unsatisfied demand for cured herring in this country, but in order to provide a higher return to the fishermen he has recently increased the prices for cured herring. He is also making a survey in order to ascertain what further steps can be taken to stimulate the market for herring in all forms. Carriage in general is paid by my Department on herring dispatched for processing when this does not involve an excessive use of transport.