§ 59. Sir Herbert Williamsasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he has any statement to make in respect of the cessation of deep-sea fishing by the Iceland fishing fleet as a result of the level at which fish prices have been fixed by his Department?
§ 62. Sir Leonard Lyleasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food how the decision of the Icelandic authorities to lay up their entire deep-sea trawler fleet owing to the unprofitable sale of fish owing to price regulation will affect British supplies of fish?
Major Lloyd GeorgeFor a variety of reasons the deep-sea trawler fleet of Iceland has taken only a small part in catching fish for the British market since the spring of this year. I am satisfied that the level of maximum prices now fixed is fair and reasonable.
§ Sir H. WilliamsHas the Minister seen the public statement that the laying-up of this fleet was due to the fact that they cannot get adequate prices in this country?
Major Lloyd GeorgeI am very sorry, but I cannot accept that statement. This laying-up has been going on since last March, as I said in my Answer, due to a variety of reasons, and the question of price should not be one of them, for I should say that, generally speaking, they are about double what they were before the war.
§ Mr. Henderson StewartCan my right hon. and gallant Friend say whether any steps are being taken to encourage the restarting of this fleet, especially when there is such a shortage in the country?
§ 70. Mr. Cluseasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware of the public complaints as to the short supply of fish; is he satisfied that the scarcity of fish is not caused by faulty co-operation of his Department with Icelandic fish interests; and whether he will take all possible measures to accelerate the transit of fish from Iceland?
Major Lloyd GeorgeI am aware that fish supplies, both British caught and imported, during the month of October, have been below normal and that this has given rise to public comment. The shortage in recent weeks is largely due to the weather conditions prevailing around Iceland since mid-September. It is not due to lack of co-operation with the Icelandic authorities. Everything possible is being done to accelerate transit of fish from Iceland.
Major Lloyd GeorgeWe are doing everything we possibly can. We have been able to reduce the price, and distribution is much better than it was considering the small amount of fish available.