Mr. CRITTENasked the Minister of Food whether he will state the present strength and the annual cost of the personnel concerned with the control of the fish distribution and the precise facts on which the necessity of control is based; 423W whether individuals in the fish industry were asked to state the case against control before it was actually re-enforced; if so, who were they and what did they say; and whether he is aware that the Fishermen's Union is strongly opposed to the reimposition of control?
§ Mr. McCURDYThe present strength of the personnel concerned with the control of fish distribution amounts to thirteen, of whom nine are engaged entirely on this work; the annual cost of the latter amounts to £3,875 The reimposition of control was rendered necessary by the high prices which the public were required to pay for fish, in spite of the fact that increased supplies were being landed. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative. Certain sections of the trade were in favour of reimposition of control and others were against it, but I do not consider that names should be given The answer to the last part of the question is in the affirmative.
§ Mr. GR1TTENasked the Minister of Food what owners, fishermen, and merchants were consulted on the schedule of fish prices which has been worked out; whether any other experts were consulted and, if so, who; whether he is aware that bad weather in winter inevitably adds to the expense of fishing, reduces the catch, and therefore sends up the market price above summer levels; and whether he will state the percentage by which this year's catch is increased over last year's and the percentage in the increase of the price paid at the ports?
§ Mr. McCURDYRepresentative owners, fishermen, merchants, and traders generally were consulted, but I do not consider that names should be given. The technical experts of the Ministry were also consulted. It is acknowledged that bad weather adds to the expense of fishing and sends up the market. price above summer levels. As regards the last part of the question, figures for Scotland are not yet available, but the figures for England show that the quantity of fish landed for the first eleven months of 1919 is rather more than 100 per cent. increase over the corresponding period of 1918. The average price paid at the ports shows a decrease and not an increase.
§ General Sir N. MOOREasked the Minister of Food whether it is the custom to measure the length of fish or to weigh 424W fish at the fishing ports; whether these operations can be introduced without adding considerably to the cost of production; and whether distinction is made between fresh and less-fresh fish, such as North Sea and Iceland haddock and plaice?
§ Mr. McCURDYThe answer to the first part, of the question is in the negative. It is the case that these operations add slightly to the cost of production, but the Fish (Prices) Order, 1919, Clause 8, Subsection (6), specifically provides that a person may sell fish otherwise than by weight provided that the maximum price is not exceeded, and provided that he weighs such fish if so required by the, buyer. No distinction is made between North Sea and Icelandic haddock and plaice, but as prices are maximum, Icelandic fish do not in practice fetch the same price as North Sea fish.
Colonel BURNasked the Minister of Food if he will favourably consider the request of the fishermen that the control of fish should be removed?
§ Mr. McCURDYHaving regard to the interests of the consumer, the Food Controller does not consider that he would be justified in removing, control of fish during the present winter.