Fish (Landings)

Oral Answers to Questions — Scotland – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 14 February 1961.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Mr Hector Hughes Mr Hector Hughes , Aberdeen North 12:00, 14 February 1961

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that there was a reduction of over 80,000 cwt. of wet fish landed on Scottish coasts by British fishing vessels in November, 1960, as compared with November, 1959; if he will state the cause of this diminution; and what steps he has taken and is taking in this connection.

Photo of Hon. John Maclay Hon. John Maclay , Renfrewshire West

The reduction in question was accounted for mainly by smaller landings of herring. These were due partly to bad weather and scarcity of herring on certan grounds; and partly to the poor quality of the herring available, which limited demand for human consumption and, together with the limitation on the quantity of surplus herring which may be purchased by the Herring Industry Board at subsidised prices, caused fishermen to restrict their catches. I am sorry that catches had to be restricted, but I do not think it would be proper to encourage the unlimited catching of herring for which there is no market.

Photo of Mr Hector Hughes Mr Hector Hughes , Aberdeen North

Does not this indicate that there has been a disastrous diminution in one of Britain's large industries? Does not this provide evidence of the need for the immediate implementation of the relevant parts of the Fleck Report? Will the Secretary of State take steps to do that without further delay?

Photo of Hon. John Maclay Hon. John Maclay , Renfrewshire West

As I think the hon. and learned Members knows, it is not too wise to draw final conclusion from the result of any one season's fishing for any kind of fish. I agree that the Fleck Report requires immediate study, and I can assure the hon. and learned Gentleman that we are getting on with that with a view to its implementation, or the implementation of those parts of it which we decide to implement, in due course.