HC Deb 03 April 1939 vol 345 cc2436-8
34. Mr. Adamson

asked the Minister of Agriculture the average prices of foreign fish landed and sold in the ports of Hull and Grimsby during the first six weeks of this year; and what was the effect upon the average prices of British-caught fish in these ports?

Sir R. Dorman-Smith

As the answer contains a number of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Adamson

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether there was an increase or a reduction?

Imported Fresh Fish.
— Hull—Average price per cwt. Grimsby—Average price per cwt.
January. February. January. February.
s. d. s d. s. d. s. d.
Cod … … 7 4 6 2 7 2 5 11
Haddock … … 18 9 23 9 19 1 17 9
Plaice … … 61 2 47 5 47 9 39 7
Other sorts* … … 14 3 22 11 17 10 20 5
Total of above … … 10 0 10 4 12 8 13 1
Herring … … 10 4 9 5 — —
* Excluding salmon, eels and shell-fish.

35. Mr. Adamson

asked the Minister of Agriculture the total quantity of imported fish which was landed in the ports of Hull and Grimsby in the first six weeks of this year; and what percentage of the average monthly quota did this quantity represent under the present trading agreements with the various countries concerned?

Sir R. Dorman-Smith

As the answer contains a number of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Adamson

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there was a large influx of imports and that it had an effect upon prices?

Sir R. Dorman-Smith

Again, it is very difficult to say what is the effect on prices on any given date; but I will give the figures to the hon. Member and he must form his own conclusion.

Sir R. Dorman-Smith

I am afraid I cannot say, because the question merely asks for figures.

Following is the answer:

I am unable to give the figures for the period of six weeks in question, but the following figures represent the approximate average prices of imported fish at the ports of Hull and Grimsby during the months of January and February respectively. I am unable to say what was the effect of these landings on the prices of British-caught fish at the ports since those prices depend on a number of different factors.

Following is the answer:

The following figures give for each supplying country the quantity of foreign-caught fish of the kinds subject to quota which was landed at Hull and Grimsby during the first six weeks of this year, together with the percentage which this figure represents of an average monthly proportion of the country's annual quota:

Country. Quantity landed. Percentage of monthly proportion of quota.
Cwt. Per cent.
Iceland 100,343 340
Netherlands 8,800 258
Denmark and Faroe 2,394 7
Norway:
White Fish 19 0.1
Herring 93,345 229

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