§ Mr. GINNELLasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food, in view of the rapidity with which fresh fish becomes useless for food, the present losses due to careless transit and delays in delivery and the probable greater losses on the approach of warm weather, whether the Ministry of Food will take immediate steps to institute speedy carriage of fresh fish from the Aran Isles, county Galway, to the English markets, prompt delivery, and either prompt return of empty boxes or an adequate supply of boxes in advance?
Captain BATHURSTA conference was held between the Fish Food Committee and the Railway Executive Committee last week with a view,inter alia, to making arrangements for the more speedy transit of Irish fish. A circular is being sent from the Ministry of Food to retail fishmongers impressing upon them the urgent necessity for the prompt return of all fish boxes, and the question of their transport will be dealt with by the railway authorities.
§ Mr. MULDOONasked the Secretary to the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the fact that reports from the southern coast of Ireland now 2405W indicate that the fishing industry is yielding an abundant supply of fish, but that there are complaints about the wholly inadequate provision made for its carriage to Great Britain; and whether he will inquire into these complaints and take all necessary steps to see that arrangements will be made to secure immediate transit in order that the fish may reach the markets in a sound and fresh condition?
§ Mr. G. ROBERTSI understand that a large quantity of fish traffic has recently been sent from Ireland, and that occasionally the amounts offered have exceeded the available capacity of the cross-channel steamers. I fear that these difficulties are bound to occur under present conditions, but I will look further into the matter.