§ 47. Captain Duncanasked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that owing to the high costs of gear, fuel and freight rates many inshore fishermen may have to lay up their boats with the consequent reduction in the supply of fresh white fish for consumption; and what steps is he taking to see that this will not happen.
§ Mr. WebbFor some time past inshore fishermen have pressed the Ministry of Food to remove the price and other controls, on the ground that this would assist the marketing of the better quality fish such as they usually catch. This will be done on 15th April.
§ Captain DuncanWill the right hon. Gentleman look into this question of high costs of gear, fuel and other things which, when the free market arrives, may put up the price of fish to such an extent that it will be unsaleable and boats may have to be laid up?
§ Mr. WebbThere was a meeting this morning with representative fishermen between myself and other Ministers, and that is one of the problems we have promised to look into.