Oral Answers to Questions — Agriculture. – in the House of Commons am ar 22 Ebrill 1929.
Sir Archibald Sinclair
, Caithness and Sutherland
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will state what reduction of Scottish harbour dues will be made in the approaching herring-fishing season as a result of the Budget proposals?
Mr John Gilmour
, Glasgow Pollok
The proposed contribution by the Fishery Board for Scotland towards the cost of reductions of fishery harbour dues will require a vote of money to the Fishery Board in the new Parliament. It is proposed to present an estimate for the purpose as soon as possible in the new Parliament but it is obviously impossible at present to give the precise date at which Parliament will vote the money necessary for putting the proposals into operation.
Sir Archibald Sinclair
, Caithness and Sutherland
But cannot the right hon. Gentleman say by how much the dues will be reduced?
Mr John Gilmour
, Glasgow Pollok
No, Sir, the amounts and actual terms will have to be evolved after very careful inquiry by the Fishery Board.
Mr Ramsay Macdonald
, Aberafan
Will it not be necessary for election purposes to say exactly what is going to be given?
Mr John Gilmour
, Glasgow Pollok
No, Sir.
Mr Frederick Macquisten
, Argyll
If we understand correctly that the dues are to be reduced—
Mr John Gilmour
, Glasgow Pollok
indicated assent.
Mr Frederick Macquisten
, Argyll
In that case, does the right hon. Gentleman think that this procedure will be as unpopular in Caithness as it is said to be in Hull?
Mr Emanuel Shinwell
, Linlithgowshire
Are we to understand from the original answer that in the preparation of the Budget Estimates no allowance was made for the actual amount to be allocated for this purpose, and that this is a mere promise, and nothing more?
Mr John Gilmour
, Glasgow Pollok
Oh, no, Sir; but, of course, the actual details of where these grants will be made and the amount of them require investigation into actual circumstances.
Mr. THOMAS:
Do we understand that there is no definite arrangement between the Member for East Aberdeen (Mr. Boothby) and the Chancellor of the exchequer as to what is to happen in this case?
Mr Emanuel Shinwell
, Linlithgowshire
Is the position this, that you are afraid to tell Scotland what you propose to do?
Mr Frederick Macquisten
, Argyll
Am I not right in anticipating—
Secretary of State was originally the title given to the two officials who conducted the Royal Correspondence under Elizabeth I. Now it is the title held by some of the more important Government Ministers, for example the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
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