HC Deb 07 August 1940 vol 364 c212
62. Mr. Liddall

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, as a valuable addition to food supplies, he will consider a war-time plan for frequent deliveries by motor-transport during the height of the herring season, of supplies of fresh herring, bloaters, and kippered herring, in the inland towns and villages of the industrial areas of Britain remote from towns where fish can be conveniently purchased?

Mr. Boothby

The present difficulty in providing larger supplies of herring for the inland towns and industrial districts is due not to difficulties of distribution but to shortage of supplies at the ports of landing. This shortage is due partly to the restricted area now available for fishing and partly to the diminished size and catching capacity of the herring fleets as a result of requisitioning of the larger vessels for Admiralty service. My Noble Friend is advised that the existing transport facilities are fully adequate to deal with present supplies of herring or with larger supplies if larger supplies were available.

Mr. Liddall

Can my hon. Friend say whether there are reasonable supplies at Aberdeen?

Mr. Boothby

Not as many as I should like.