§ Mr. HIGHAMasked the Minister of Food whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that heavy loads of fish are frequently returned from Billingsgate to King's Cross and other railway centres without having been unloaded, on account of a glut of fish in the market, and are returned to the fishing ports; what becomes of this fish; and whether arrangements could be made for this fish to be available for the many people who would be willing to buy the fish at reasonable prices, particularly in view of the present high cost and scarcity of food?
§ Mr. McCURDYI am informed that surplus supplies of herrings have, in the past, been occasionally returned from Billingsgate to fish curers at Lowestoft, Yarmouth, or Hull, but that there has been no recent instance of this procedure. There has been no other transfer of supplies of fish suitable for human food. The second and third parts of the question do not, therefore, arise. As the hon. Member is probably aware, the question of the food markets of London is now under close investigation by a Departmental Committee, whose first Report will be ready in a few days.
§ Captain W. BENNasked the Minister of Food whether he is prepared to set up a special Scottish Committee to advise on the control price of fish and to matters relating to State interference with the fish trade in Scotland?
§ Mr. J. BROWNasked the Minister of Food a question in the name terms.
§ Mr. McCURDYIn view of the fact that a very large proportion of the fish caught by Scottish boats is sold in England, and also that at certain seasons of the year considerable numbers of Scottish boats work from British ports, I do not think it convenient to set up a special Scottish Committee for the purpose stated in the question. I will, however, take steps to ensure that the Scottish fishing industry is adequately 661W represented on any Committee that may be set up.