§ Mr. McInnesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland on what date the sum of £350,000 was made available for the maintenance and improvement of fishing harbours in Scotland; and how much has been expended to date.
§ Mr. J. StuartOffers of assistance for the construction, improvement and repair of fishery harbours in Scotland made between October, 1951, and October, 1954, totalled £350,000 of which some £125,000 has so far been paid. Since October last, offers of a further £150,000 have been made.
§ Mr. McInnesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland on what date the sum of £2 million was made available for the modernisation of the Scottish fishing fleet; and how much has been expended to date.
§ Mr. J. StuartThe White Fish and Herring Industries Act, 1953, provided for grants up to a total of £9,750,000 for the construction of new fishing vessels and engines in Great Britain during a period of ten years from the passing of the Act. No prescribed portion of this total is allocated to Scotland, and £2 million is only a rough estimate. Up to 1st June, 1955, grants approved in Scotland totalled £619,604.
§ Lady Tweedsmuirasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many applications for grants and loans for Aberdeen trawlers have been received by the White Fish Authority during the last 12 months; how many have been granted; and how many are under consideration.
§ Mr. J. StuartI am informed by the White Fish Authority that during the last 12 months they have received 14 applications from Aberdeen for grants towards the construction of new near and middle water vessels and have so far approved three. The remainder are under consideration.