§ Mr. BROOKESasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether his Department is making any representations to the Admiralty against their calling up fishermen, in view of the increasingly vital importance of the fish supply to the nation; and whether, seeing that the position of these men is analogous to that of the agricultural labourers, he will say how many have up to the present been withdrawn from what is now a staple industry?
Mr. PARKERThe Food Controller appreciates the vital importance of increasing our fish supplies to the utmost possible extent, and is satisfied that the necessary representations have been made to the Board of Admiralty by the Fisheries Departments, to whom this matter more directly appertains. There are no figures available which would enable me to state the number of fishermen withdrawn from their customary occupation.