§ Mr. Grimondasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he has on the dispute between the Herring Industry Board and the curers; and how it is likely to affect the cure of herring at Lerwick for the Russian market.
§ Mr. J. StuartI am informed that the British Herring Trade Association, representing the curers, are not satisfied with the terms on which the Board have offered to purchase cured herring and have asked that their operations should be costed and that I should appoint an independent person to conduct further negotiations. This is a commercial transaction in which I do not think I should be justified in intervening, and I hope the curers will resume negotiations with the Board. Meanwhile, curing is proceeding normally at Lerwick.