HC Deb 03 February 1947 vol 432 c1383
36. Mr. Osborne

asked the Minister of Food why, in the case of Mr. Rod well, Grimsby, a licence was granted to trade in white fish and subsequently an allocation of fish was refused, though persons who had never been engaged in the trade previously have been granted supplies.

The Minister of Food (Mr. Strachey)

Mr. Rodwell has been given an allocation of white fish for his retail business through a wholesaler, but he does not qualify for a first hand allocation. These are normally granted only to traders who bought direct from producers in a given "qualifying period," and to the few disabled men who get preference licences. I am at the moment re-examining the whole system of licensing and allocations for fish.

Mr. Osborne

Would not the right hon. Gentleman agree that men who expect to get an allocation are disappointed when they are not given that allocation?

Mr. Strachey

Yes, Sir; I do not consider the present system altogether satisfactory.