§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received for transitional aid for herring curers, affected by the current conservation measures: what aid is available: and whether he has any proposals for increasing or extending it in the light of the industry's current difficulties.
§ Mr. BishopThe herring processors have informed me of their difficulties and my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Scotland—the Member for Glasgow, Provan (Mr. Brown)—has been engaged in discussions with them. I am keeeping in touch with developments. The Government were instrumental in suspending the EEC tariff on imported supplies of herring and assistance has also been available in the form of temporary employment subsidy. Further ways in which the industry could be assisted were870W thoroughly examined but it was concluded that the only practical means was by way of the selective financial provisions of section 7 of the Industry Act 1972.
It is hoped that any processors who find themselves in difficulty will examine the assistance on offer, which could provide prompt and substantial aid to help them through their current difficulties.