HC Deb 29 March 1944 vol 398 cc1434-5
50. Commander Agnew

asked the Minister of Food the number of fish and chip shops operating in Camborne in 1939 and in each subsequent year.

Colonel Llewellin

Nine in 1939, and five in each subsequent year.

Commander Agnew

Does that not show that the present number of these fish and chip shops for the large industrial population of Camborne is quite inadequate? Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman consider, therefore, whether some of the existing fat allocation in the hands of private traders which is not now being used shall be re-allocated to traders who will use it?

Colonel Llewellin

No, the allocation of fish and fats is distributed on a population basis, and if more fried fish shops were to be opened in Camborne, it would mean that the existing fried fish shops would get less fish and less fat.

Sir A. Beit

Is it really suggested that the health of the nation would be improved by a vast increase in the number of fish and chip shops?

Mr. Sorensen

Is the criterion of population enough, seeing that some areas consume far less fish and chips than others, because of different tastes?