§ 12. Mr. Osborneasked the Minister of Food if he is aware that 1,500 tons of prime cod have recently gone to the fish-meal factories; and if he will make an extra allocation of fat to fish friers to enable this very cheap supply of fish to be made available for human consumption.
§ Mr. StracheyOwing to recent exceptional landings of fish, supplies have been in excess of demand, and larger quantities than usual have been used for fish meal. Fish friers already have the right to apply for an adjustment of their authorised allowances of fat to meet seasonal variations in their trade, and I am prepared to extend this arrangement to cover periods when there is a glut of fish.
§ Mr. OsborneDoes that mean that the Minister will dip into his Election "kitty" and give them considerably more of this fat if the demand comes from fish friers, so that the fish can be used?
§ Mr. StracheyWell, we have very considerably extended the quantity of fats going to fish friers, and we believe that to be a very useful purpose, and this is another slight concession.
§ Mr. CollinsHas my right hon. Friend any reason for believing that there was demand for the consumption of this heavy 757 supply of fish? Is he aware that when there is a surplus it is extremely useful for fishmeal, because there is a considerable shortage of protein feedingstuffs?
§ Mr. StracheyI entirely agree.
§ Air-Commodore HarveyIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that, because thousands of tons of fish have had to be used for fishmeal, vessels are now being laid up because it is uneconomical to operate them? As the matter is getting ever more serious, will the right hon. Gentleman receive a deputation from the industry, so that the matter can be discussed by both sides?
§ Mr. StracheyI should not say that the present price of fish is low enough to satisfy demand.
§ Mr. Emrys HughesCan my right hon. Friend do something to prevent cods without heads being landed at Westminster?
§ Mr. OsborneDespite the fact that the right hon. Gentleman said extra fat is being allowed when it is needed, is he not aware that many fish friers close two days a week because there are not supplies enough to go round?
§ Mr. StracheyI am not suggesting that we can give fish friers all the fat they wish for at present, but we have extended the supply very considerably.