§ 4. Mr. Doddsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is aware of the dissatisfaction of shopkeepers and the public with regard to the scarcity as well as the unequal distribution of the available limited quantities of canned salmon; and if he will take steps to control distribution.
Mr. AmoryI know that the market could absorb greater supplies of canned salmon, but imports have to be limited for balance of payments reasons. Quotas for the year 1955–56 have, however, been increased to about £9.5 million c.i.f. and supplies should be more plentiful in the next few months. So far as I am aware, the trade generally is distributing the limited supplies fairly, and I am not prepared to reintroduce distribution control.
§ Mr. DoddsHas the right hon. Gentleman received any complaints about the shocking black market in canned salmon which affects small shopkeepers as well as housewives, and will he see that more Group I salmon is imported and less Group 3, which before the war was fed to cats and not to humans?
Mr. AmoryThe complaints which have received have been about the inadequacy of the quantities and not about the method of distribution, but if the hon. Gentleman has any complaints, I should be glad if he would send them to me. As regards the second part of his supplementary, I will look into that.
§ Mr. WilleyWill the Minister see that we get as much Japanese salmon as is available, and will he allow imports of it as widely as he can?
Mr. AmoryAs the hon. Gentleman knows, for balance of payments reasons the imports from North America and from Japan are controlled and allowed in on quota.