§ 21. Mr. PETOasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he can state what arrangements have been made, in anticipation of the increased demands for fish, to import supplies of refrigerated fish from Canada and Newfoundland; and whether it is anticipated that the increased supply of imported fish will be sufficient to supplement the supply provided by our own fishing vessels, and will be equal to the demand?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of FOOD (Mr. Clynes)The Food Controller has not yet found it possible to arrange for the regular shipment of frozen fish from Canada and Newfoundland, as all the available refrigerated tonnage from North America is at present required for more essential foodstuffs. In any event, it is unlikely that the total supply of fish that can be secured for home markets will be equal to the increased demand occasioned by the shortage of meat.
§ Mr. PETOArising out of the hon. Gentleman's reply, will he inquire whether recommendations regarding the supply of the necessary refrigerator machinery and buildings to carry this policy into effect were not made by the Fisheries Department of the Board of Agriculture more than eighteen months ago?
§ Mr. CLYNESI will make that inquiry. My reply speaks of the available refrigerators.