HC Deb 21 July 1980 vol 989 cc15-6W
Mr. Henderson

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will investigate the landing of 600 tons of prawns by a Soviet vessel at Dundee on 17 July; if he will establish when and where they were caught; whether they are being sold for less than the cost of production; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Younger

A vessel from the USSR landed approximately 638 tonnes of pink shrimps (pandalus borealis) in Dundee on 17 July. These shrimps were caught in the Barents Sea and frozen. I have been unable to ascertain whether they are being sold at less than the production cost.

This consignment of shrimps will be processed by two Scottish factories. Both these factories buy shrimps from Scottish fishermen during the shrimp season around Scotland. These imported supplies are to maintain operations at the factories when Scottish supplies, which have been very poor this year, are not available.