§ 27. Mr. Awberyasked the Minister of Food if he will hold an inquiry into the cost of distributing fish, with a view to ascertaining why there is a difference of £7 a cwt. between the fish market and the retail shops; and if he will fix a price in the port that will ensure a reasonable reward to the trawler owners and fishermen and a maximum price in the shops to protect the consumer.
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeAs they state in their first Annual Report, the White Fish Authority have begun cost investigations which will include the distributive side of this industry.
I agree with the view expressed on several occasions by my predecessor that it would not be in the consumers' interest to reimpose statutory price control.
§ Mr. AwberyIs the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the £7 goes neither to the trawler owner nor to the men who catch the fish, but to men who have nothing to do with the trawlers or the catching of the fish? Will he protect the housewife from exploitation by these people?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeAs I pointed out in the first part of my answer, the whole question of distribution costs is being investigated at present.