§ 60. Sir W. Smithersasked the Minister of Food how much fish has been used for other purposes than food since 1st February, 1946; who is responsible for this waste; and if he will remove all restrictions to allow fish to be distributed and sold through the normal trade channels.
§ Sir B. SmithFrom 3rd February to 16th March, 1946, out of fresh fish landings of 109,400 tons, 409 tons or 0.37 per cent. were condemned at the principal ports and markets and lost as human food. About 86 per cent. of this quantity was condemned on landing at the ports, and the rest, mainly consisting of unpopular varieties, at inland markets. The loss of an insignificant proportion of what is landed is inevitable and no one is responsible. Fish has never ceased to be distributed through normal trade channels, and the small degree of distribution control which I still maintain is essential for the protection of the small trader and for fair distribution at times of relative shortage.
§ Sir W. SmithersWhy is it necessary to have control at all? It may be necessary to ration shortages, but why should the Minister ration abundance?
§ Sir B. SmithFish is not rationed, and never has been.
§ Sir W. SmithersThe Minister has often said that he retains a degree of control.