57. Mr. Thorneycroftasked the Minister of Food what steps he has taken to 362 implement the undertaking given by Lord Woolton to Members of Parliament representing Manchester Divisions on 26th May, 1943, when he agreed that Manchester had been receiving less than the per capita allowance of fish to which it would have been entitled on an arithmetical basis, and promised that he would see that the present grounds for the complaint that Manchester was not receiving its fair share of the country's fish supplies were removed?
§ Mr. MabaneA revised distribution scheme effecting certain adjustments in the supply of fish to Manchester has been in operation since 16th October last. While preliminary returns for the subsequent tour weeks indicate that the city is now receiving its per capita entitlement, it will not be possible to give a conclusive reply to my hon. Friend's Question until final figures are available in a few weeks' time.
Mr. ThorneycroftIs the hon. Gentleman aware that this position might be met in Manchester by permitting more Icelandic trawlers to land fish at Fleetwood, thereby enabling them to make more voyages and saving four to six days, as against the present practice of landing the major portion of the fish at East Coast ports? It would also save a substantial amount of coal on each voyage.
§ Mr. MabaneNo, Sir; we have other parts of the country to consider.