66.
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered any proposals for assisting the Scottish fishermen in the replacement of the herring drifters which have become unseaworthy and for the provision of a new and less costly type of vessel capable of being run at a lower cost; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?
As stated in my reply to the hon. and learned Member on the 15th April, this matter is within the scope of the inquiries of the Committee of the Economic Advisory Council on the Fishing Industry; but pending the report of that Committee I have made it my business to obtain information on the subject, particularly as regards the experiments which are being made in devising new types of vessel and the hon. and learned Member may be assured that the question will receive the Government's careful consideration in the light of the Committee's Report.
Is not the right hon. Gentleman prepared to take action in this very urgent matter without waiting for the committee's report, as he has all the facts before him and is aware of the situation?
I think both the hon. Member and I would be well advised to await the report.