§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will inquire into the decision by the Scottish fish producers' organisation to finance the withholding of herring from the market and its sale at a lower price in France out of funds allocated under the temporary aid scheme for the industry.
§ Mr. YoungerIt is within the power of a producer organisation to buy its members' fish and market it on their behalf. During the present Clyde herring fishery the Scottish Fishermen's Organisation has on occasion done this and marketed the fish abroad, including in France. The transport costs involved in such transactions do not, however, constitute a proper charge on the fish producers' organisations subsidy scheme, and my officials have informed the SFO accordingly.