HC Deb 16 June 1955 vol 542 cc735-6
10. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has yet received from the British Embassy in Rome the assurances asked for by the hon. and learned Member for Aberdeen, North, on 29th September, 1954, about the imports by Mr. W. P. Clark, fish merchant, Aberdeen, of monk fish into Italy; if he will explain the delay which has occurred; and if he will now make a statement on the present position relating to this source of foreign currency.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

The Italian authorities issued on 14th February an instruction to Customs officials to admit imports of fish without heads provided that the consignments conformed to certain conditions with which the exporters were understood to have no difficulty in complying. I cannot accept the suggestion that any undue delay has occurred. I am not aware that exporters of fish to Italy are now encountering any difficulties but if the hon. and learned Member knows of any, I will look into them.

Mr. Hughes

Does the right hon. Gentleman not remember the long correspondence I had with him about this matter, which ended in his promising to see that the restrictions were abolished permanently, so that this source of international currency might be made of advantage to this country? What is he doing about it now?

Mr. Thorneycroft

The fish, happily, are now coming in without their heads, which is what I think the hon. and learned Gentleman really wished.