HC Deb 06 June 1945 vol 411 cc879-80
47. Mr. Douglas

asked the Minister of Food what arrangements he has made to ensure that catches of herring for which there is no possibility of immediate sale fresh shall be kippered and not wasted.

The Minister of Food(Colonel Llewellin)

All possible arrangements have been made to kipper any herrings that cannot be sold fresh to the full capacity of the smokehouses.

Mr. Douglas

In view of the reduction in the quantity of protein-containing foods, is it not important to increase the supply of fish?

Colonel Llewellin

Yes, Sir, most important.

Mr. Loftus

Will my right hon. and gallant Friend make representations to the Admiralty to release, before October, the buildings and grounds at Lowestoft and Yarmouth which are required for kippering the large herring catch?

Colonel Llewellin

That is a question which should be put to my right hon. Friend the First Lord of the Admiralty.

48. Mr. Turton

asked the Minister of Food whether he will take the necessary steps to improve the distribution of fish in the rural areas of the North Riding of Yorkshire.

Colonel Llewellin

Yes, Sir, so far as I can.

Mr. Turton

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that rural areas suffer a great disadvantage compared to urban areas in the matter of fish distribution, because they have no fish shops? Will he make representations to his colleagues that travelling fish merchants should have every facility to make fish rounds?

Colonel Llewellin

If it is merely a question of getting a fish licence, in any area where there is a consumer need there would be very little difficulty in getting a licence from my Department to sell fish.

49. Mr. Murray

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that John Donnelly, of 211, Hilton Road, Sunderland, is hawking herring in the township of Crook, and travelling over 40 miles each day to do this work; and if he will arrange for a better distribution of herring in the Crook area and thus cut out this waste of time and petrol.

Colonel Llewellin

This man is carrying out useful work in distributing fish, and I see no reason to put him out of a job.

Mr. Murray

Is the Minister aware that business men in Crook cannot understand why a man should be allowed to travel 40 miles to sell fish on their doorsteps, when they are already selling fish?

Colonel Llewellin

I like to see fish sold on doorsteps if we can get the facilities to do it.

Mr. Murray

But is not the Minister aware that this man is travelling 40 miles to sell fish on the doorsteps of men who are in the trade? [Hon. Members: "Why not?"] Surely the people in business ought to get better distribution which would give them a chance to sell.

Colonel Llewellin

This man is also in the trade as a distributor of fish. In regard to other facilities there, there are one fishmonger, 11 fish fryers, and nine fishmonger fryers to serve the Crook and Willingdon area, so there are plenty of "inlets" for fish.

Mr. A. Bevan

Will the Minister make the amenities of Crook available to the whole country?

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