§ 47. Commander BELLAIRSasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if there has been any scrutiny as to the cost of preparing and publishing fishing statistics; and can he state the cost inclusive of officials and proportionate charges?
Mr. GUINNESSI have been asked to reply. The cost of preparing and publishing fishery statistics is subject to the usual annual scrutiny, and, in addition, the publication of these statistics has recently been specially examined by a Sub-Committee of the Permanent Consultative Committee on Official Statistics. The total annual cost amounts to approximately £18,700, of which roughly one-third is in respect of special statistics required in connection with fishery research.
§ Mr. MACQUISTENIn the preparation of these statistics will my right hon. Friend consider the advisability of issuing some figures showing why it is that the fishermen receive so small a sum contrasted with the price at which the retailer sells the herring?