§ Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that the existing powers of the White Fish Authority to grant loans to processors of white fish to install plants are inadequate owing to the provisions of Scottish law relating to movable property as security for such loans, and that the co-relative powers possessed by the Herring Industry Board are effective for their purposes, if he will examine both sets of powers with a view to making the former effective for the needs of the industry; and what steps he proposes to rectify the situation.
§ Mr. MaclayI know that both the White Fish Authority and the Herring Industry Board are at present precluded by law, when they make loans in Scotland, from taking security over movable property. But, as the hon. and learned Member is aware, these particular provisions of Scottish law have been referred for consideration to the Scottish Law Reform Committee. I am also at present considering, together with my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, proposals which the White Fish Authority has recently submitted for new arrangements to govern the exercise of its powers to grant loans for processing plant.