HC Deb 26 November 1952 vol 508 cc430-1
3. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Minister of Food if he is yet in a position to announce his plans for maintaining an adequate supply of fish for British consumers at reasonable prices.

32. Mr. Willey

asked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the threat to our fish supplies, he will consider the re-imposition of price controls.

Major Lloyd George

I would refer the hon. Members to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries on 24th November, to which I have nothing to add at this stage.

Mr. Hughes

As the nation's food supply is affected by the conflicting policies of four Ministries, Agriculture, Transport, Food and Fisheries, will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman seek to have this matter raised at a national level so that there may be some continuity of policy with regard to the supply of this succulent food to the nation?

Major Lloyd George

The hon. and learned Gentleman will realise that at the moment the White Fish Authority is conducting an investigation into the very important question of the distribution of fish.

Mr. Hughes

Is the Minister aware that there has been undue delay and that the White Fish Authority has not done the job for which it was appointed? Will he seek to have the matter accelerated in the interest of the national food supply?

Mr. Logan

Is the Minister aware, in view of the high cost of meat and the dearth of meat supplies, of the exorbitant charges being made for fish? Is it not possible, even at this late date, to do something about the matter in view of the fact that the people in my city are unable to pay the price for the food to sustain them in their daily work?

Major Lloyd George

I can only repeat what I said to the hon. and learned Member for Aberdeen, North, that questions of distribution costs and other things are very important in regard to this commodity, and that is what the White Fish Authority are engaged in investigating now. On the question of price, the hon. Member will appreciate that the cost of catching fish has gone up enormously since the war.

Mr. Osborne

Is it not true that the price of fish today is lower than it was a year ago?

Mr. Hughes

I beg to give notice that owing to that very unsatisfactory statement I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.

Mr. Willey

On a point of order. As this Question was taken with Question No. 32 which stands in my name, may I ask if it is not customary to allow an hon. Member who has put down a Question to ask a supplementary question?

Mr. Speaker

I did not realise that the hon. Member had a question down.

Mr. Willey

Whilst appreciating that the right hon. and gallant Gentleman and the Minister of Agriculture are keeping watch on the position, may I ask the Minister whether he will at least consider the possibility of reimposing controls if the necessity should arise?

Major Lloyd George

That is a very hypothetical question. The only thing that I would say is that it is not an easy thing to control.