HC Deb 01 July 1953 vol 517 cc380-1
21. Mr. Grimond

asked the Minister of Food what information he has about the production of a food from fish meal and oil which can be used as a substitute for milk for children in backward countries; and what experiments in its production have yet been carried out in this country.

Major Lloyd George

I understand that at a recent meeting in Hull of a Working Party of the Food and Agriculture Organisation on Fish Products for use in Tropical Countries, the use of fish meal for direct human feeding in protein deficient areas was discussed and samples of high quality fish meals, developed both in this country and in Northern Europe, were submitted for selection for use in feeding trials in Latin America.

Mr. Grimond

While thanking the Minister for his reply, may I ask him if he can say whether it would not be a considerable advantage for the fishing industry if these trials were successful and whether the products would not command a fairly high price? If the experiments prove successful will he ensure that manufacturing processes are encouraged in this country?

Major Lloyd George

I will certainly do everything I can to assist in what, I think, is a very good experiment.