36. Commander WILLIAMSasked the Minister of Agriculture if the marketing branch of his Department is devoted only to the marketing of agricultural produce or to the marketing of fish as well?
§ The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Mr. Guinness)The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative.
Commander WILLIAMSHas any success been achieved in using the marketing procedure for fish, and will any special steps be taken to deal with a large catch of fish which might be purchased in bulk?
§ Mr. GUINNESSThe Marketing Branch of the Ministry of Agriculture deals, of course, primarily with the grading of agricultural produce, and that problem is not so acute in the fishing industry, in the case of which, I believe, there is already a very efficient system of grading. The problem there is rather that of quick distribution, preservation, and proper handling. Those questions are being explored by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. I am not sure that the Ministry of Agriculture is the proper Department, but I should be very glad to consider any suggestions that my hon. and gallant Friend might make.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSCan the right hon. Gentleman indicate to what extent and in what direction success has attended his Marketing Committee?
§ Mr. GUINNESSWe have started a very extensive scheme of sale and grading under the National Mark, which has been taken up very keenly by various branches of the agricultural industry.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSAre we to understand from the Minister's reply that a large-scale organisation has been established by the Government for the grading and distribution of agricultural produce?
§ Mr. GUINNESSThe question deals with the Marketing Branch of the Ministry of Agriculture.
§ 37. Commander WILLIAMSasked the Minister of Agriculture what progress has been made by his Department during the years 1925, 1926, 1927 and 1928 in encouragement the development of co-operative buying and selling among fishermen?
§ Mr. GUINNESSThe Government assists the establishment and encouragement of co-operative buying and selling among fishermen by means of grants from the Development Fund to the Fisheries Organisation Society, on the governing body of which the Ministry is represented. The latest report of the society, referring to the year 1927, states that there is a steady development of the co-operative movement among inshore fishermen. I am sending my hon. Friend figures for the years 1925–1927, extracted from the report. Those for 1928 are not yet available.
§ Commander WILLIAMSCan my right hon. Friend say in what part of the country this is most developed?
§ Mr. GUINNESSI am afraid I could not answer that question without notice. There is an increase in the number of societies which work under the parent organisation, and the total sales have increased, but I cannot give the distribution throughout the country.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSCan the right hon. Gentleman give any indication as to whether the quantity of fish destroyed for the purpose of maintaining a high price has been reduced or increased since the Ministry have been dealing with the matter?
§ Mr. GUINNESSI do not believe that there is any appreciable amount of fish destroyed, certainly not for the purpose of keeping up a high price. Where fish is landed in a state which makes it unfit for human consumption, it has, of course, to be diverted to other purposes.