§ 41. Mr. Douglas Marshallasked the Minister of Food what is the estimated quantity of canned pilchards which will be imported from South Africa in the forthcoming year.
§ Dr. SummerskillAbout 2,500 tons have been offered, but no contract has yet been made.
§ Mr. MarshallMay I ask the right hon. Lady, when considering these contracts, 2348 if she will always take into consideration the importance of Cornish pilchards, and see to it that these imports do not hurt this industry?
§ Dr. SummerskillCertainly I can assure the hon. Gentleman that we take that into consideration, but he must also remember that the Cornish pilchard industry only produces 1,500 tons of pilchards per year while the total consumption is 12,000 tons a year.