§ 33. Mr. ROBINSONasked the President of the Board of Agriculture what steps are being taken to make the fullest use of the fish in our lakes and rivers as food supply in view of the national emergency?
§ Sir R. WINFREYThe Board have had this question under careful consideration for some time. There are obvious difficulties in the way of the provision of the necessary labour and machinery for catching the fish, the collection of supplies from remote districts, and the packing and rapid transit of them to markets. Freshwater fish are, moreover, for the most part out of condition between the 15th March and the 15th June, and a great deal of it would never be a very palatable and acceptable food. On the whole, the Board doubt very much whether the organisation of a freshwater fish industry would pay its expenses; but, in the present position of the nation's food supply, they are proposing to ask the advice of a small expert Committee on the subject.
§ Mr. ROBINSONAs the fishing season is just opening will the Committee be, set up immediately?
§ Sir R. WINFREYYes.
§ Mr. PRINGLEWill the right hon Gentleman consider the advisability of inviting volunteers for catching fish under the scheme for National Service of Mr. Neville Chamberlain?