HC Deb 01 February 1967 vol 740 cc109-10W
68. Mr. Wolrige-Gordon

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will institute a research programme with reference to the movement of sprats round Scotland in order to provide information regarding size and quality of shoals for those engaged in the industry.

Mr. Ross

The research done on this species by the scientists of my Department will be expanded. In addition to sampling catches, they will undertake tagging experiments this year in order to throw light on the relationships between exploited stocks in different fishing areas and thereby to improve their assessment of stocks on which forecasts of the location and abundance of shoals are based.