HL Deb 09 December 1941 vol 121 cc235-6
LORD DAVIES

My Lords, I beg to ask the second question standing in my name.

[The question was as follows:

To ask His Majesty's Government what proportion of fish, in relation to the total landings, has been condemned as unfit for human consumption since the introduction of the control scheme; and how this proportion compares with the corresponding figure for the preceding comparable period.]

THE MINISTER OF FOOD (LORD WOOLTON)

My Lords, the figures which I am going to give are those taken to 21st November, for which day the noble Lord first had this question on the Paper. Since the introduction of maximum prices for fish at the end of June, 1941, the proportion of the total landings condemned as unfit for human consumption amounts to one per cent. That figure, however, although it is statistically correct, is totally misleading because owing to war conditions the quantity condemned at one particular port was 8.3 per cent. If that port is excluded from the figures then in the rest of the country the amount condemned is one-third of one per cent. The reason for the 8.3 per cent., at the particular port—which your Lordships will forgive me for not naming—was entirely due to war conditions which caused the fish to be kept a very long time before it was ultimately landed. I regret that comparable figures before price control was introduced are not available because ports have not kept them. I would like to assure the noble Lord that there is no connection between the Fish (Maximum Price) Order, to which he doubtless refers, and the quantity of fish that is condemned as unfit for human consumption. I can find no relationship between the introduction of that Order and the condemnation of fish.

LORD DAVIES

My Lords, arising out of that question, could my noble friend tell us whether satisfactory arrangements have now been made with the Icelandic fishery trade for the delivery of fish in this country?

LORD WOOLTON

My Lords, I would suggest with respect that that does not arise out of the question on the Paper and I should be grateful to the noble Lord if he would refrain from pressing me to answer it.

LORD DAVIES

My Lords, I will give notice of the question.