HC Deb 18 June 1956 vol 554 cc1028-9
14. Mr. Dodds

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement in respect of the costings investigations into the price of fish which began in 1952.

The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. D. HeathcoatAmory)

The White Fish Authority's present inquiry into distributive costs and earnings was begun last year and relates to trading operations in 1954. The returns are now being processed, and the Authority expects to have its report ready by the late summer.

Mr. Hughes

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that the statement of costings includes a statement of the greatly increased financial obligations of the fishing industry?

Mr. Amory

I think that would not be relevant to this particular inquiry, which is related to the costs of wholesalers, fishmongers and fish fryers.