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Herrings

Oral Answers to Questions — Food Supplies – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 1 December 1947.

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Photo of Mr Emrys Hughes Mr Emrys Hughes , South Ayrshire 12:00, 1 December 1947

asked the Minister of Food what quantities of herring have been bought from Iceland at a higher price than that paid to Scots fishermen; and to what extent herring have been dumped into the sea owing to low prices paid by his Department.

Photo of Mr Evelyn Strachey Mr Evelyn Strachey , Dundee

No herrings have been bought from Iceland in recent years, either by my Department or the Herring Industry Board; or, so far as I know, by the trade. About 190 tons of herrings have been dumped by certain fisheren in 1947 because they would not sell them for the production of herring oil and cattle food. I deeply regret this action, especially as other fishermen have sold nearly 6,000 tons of surplus herrings for reduction into oil and meal.

Photo of Mr Emrys Hughes Mr Emrys Hughes , South Ayrshire

Could the Minister tell us who are the fishermen dumping these herrings? Are they on the North coast of Scotland?

Photo of Mr Evelyn Strachey Mr Evelyn Strachey , Dundee

The East coast.

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