§ 33. Mr. Dribergasked the Minister of Food what steps he is taking to assist the fishermen of Tollesbury and the other smaller fishing villages on the East Coast to find markets for their catches of sprats during the coming spratting season.
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeI understand that the White Fish Authority are giving special attention to the improved marketing of sprats. I have just received a letter from the hon. Member on a special aspect of the matter and will let him have a reply as soon as possible.
§ Mr. DribergWill the Minister bear in mind the importance of not allowing these small fishing communities and fishing fleets to die out altogether and that there is a very serious threat to their existence owing partly to the activities of his own Department, as outlined in that letter?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeWithout going into details of that matter now, which the hon. Member knows about, I shall certainly do everything I can to maintain these small communities; but with regard to the question of sales, they are purely temporary and in no way my responsibility.
§ Mr. Thornton-KemsleyDoes my right hon. and gallant Friend regard the recent unanimous decision of the Maldon division of the Labour Party, in support of the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Walthamstow, West (Mr. Attlee), as a sprat to catch a Maldon mackerel?