§ 66 and 67. Squadron-Leader Donnerasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (1) whether he is aware that the Emergency Powers (Defence) Food (Fish) Order (S.R. & O., No. 1229, 1943), which was signed on loth August, and was in operation only from 21st August until 28th August inclusive, was not available to Members in the House of Commons until 25th August; and what is the meaning in the Order of the words "roused herrings and sprinkled herrings.";
(2) whether he is aware that the Emergency Powers (Defence) Food (Fish) Order (S.R. & O., No. 1229, 1943), remained in force for one week only in August; will he state why the Order was made and withdrawn and give an assurance that Orders will not be made unnecessarily?
§ Mr. MabaneYes, Sir. I am aware that Statutory Rule and Order 1229 of 1943 remained in force for one week only, the period for which it was made, and I am aware that it was not available to hon. Members until the 25th August. The Order was made because heavy landings of herrings were reaching the ports, and it was necessary to bring them into consumption. My hon. Friend will appreciate that landings of herrings are very variable and that had the operation of this Order been delayed until copies could have been in the hands of hon. Members the herrings would by that time have been bad. "Rousing" and "sprinkling" describe simple methods of preserving herrings.
§ Commander Locker-LampsonCannot bad herrings be used for manure?
§ Mr. MabaneYes, Sir.
§ 70. Mr. Levyasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what was intended to be meant by sub-paragraph (b) of paragraph (1) of the Emergency Powers (Defence) Food (Fish) Order (S.R. & O., No. 1445, of 1943), which reads "Dogfish flaps sold separately shall not be regarded as illets"?
§ Mr. MabaneAs I informed the hon. Member for Stretford on 12th May, 1943, flaps, including dog-fish flaps, are lugs or belly walls and the intention of the subparagraph referred to is to prevent the allocation of dog-fish flaps as fillets.
§ Mr. LevyDoes my right hon. Friend not recognise that even the trade does not understand this? Why not put it in plain and simple language, so that we can understand what it is all about?
§ Mr. MabaneI do not think any language can be more plain and simple. It is quite untrue to say that the trade does not know what these terms are. Of course the trade knows.