§ Mr. Wolrige-Gordonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the cost of the subsidy of 25s. a cran for herring landed for fishmeal and oil reduction during the month of January.
§ Mr. NobleThe cost of the subsidy of 25s. a cran for herring landed by U.K. registered vessels at Scottish ports during the month of January and sold for reduction to oil and meal is, in round figures, £7,500.
§ Mr. Wolrige-Gordonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has completed his estimates of the costs and 40W earnings of the Scottish herring drifter fleet for 1963; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NobleNo. The returns of costs and earnings for 1963 for the Scottish herring drifter fleet which the fishermen have been asked, in accordance with normal practice, to send to my Department, are not yet available.
§ Mr. Wolrige-Gordonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the present difference in price being paid by the factories in Fraserburgh and Stornoway for herring to be converted to fishmeal; what factors govern this difference; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NobleI am told that the price offered by the commercial firm at Fraserburgh is 33s. 6d. per cran delivered to the factory. Out of that sum the fishermen have to pay the Herring Industry Board's levy of 3s. 6d. per cran as well as harbour dues at the port of landing and the cost of transport to the factory. The price paid by the Board for herring bought for reduction at their Stornoway factory is 15s. per cran at the quayside in Stornoway, inclusive of the Board's levy and only harbour dues have to be deducted to give the net price. The Board tell me that the lower price at Stornoway is the most they feel able to pay having regard to the very small and irregular quantities of surplus herring offered at Stornoway; if they could be assured of a larger and regular throughput they might well be able to offer a higher price.
§ Mr. Wolrige-Gordonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what further markets he has secured for the present catch of the herring drift net fleet.
§ Mr. NobleThe marketing of the herring catch by the drift net fleet is a matter for the fishermen themselves. The Herring Industry Board, however, assist the fishermen in arranging sales of herring—particularly exports—whenever possible.
§ Mr. Wolrige-Gordonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many herring drifters have had to leave the herring drift net fleet from the northeast of Scotland since the end of November last year.
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§ Mr. NobleThe number of vessels registered at north-east of Scotland ports engaged in drift net fishing for herring at the end of November was 81 and on the 7th February was 30; most of the boats in the drift net fleet can be used for catching other kinds of fish with other gear, and I understand that over 40 are so employed at present out of the balance of the fleet which was drift netting in the autumn.