asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards the practice of trawling for herring by inshore and near-water vessels.

Except where trawling is prohibited by law, the method of catching herring is quite legitimate and is much practised abroad. The herring fishermen in this country have not generally favoured trawling, but the Herring Industry Board think it has advantages and I am at present considering proposals by the Board to assist herring fishermen to become proficient in trawling.

Is the Secretary of State aware that that Answer will give more satisfaction to the fishermen and that they will welcome some definition by the Government of their policy towards trawling for herring, as difficulty has been experienced in certain ports by our own fishermen in seeking to dispose of their catches of fish caught by this method?

I have had reports of this difficulty, and I deplore it. I am glad to say that there were other ports where the fishermen were able to dispose of their catches.