§ Mr. JESSONasked the Minister of Food if he is aware that Lord Morris, late Premier of Newfoundland, has stated that the Newfoundland fishermen can supply the people of this country with an unlimited quantity of caplin, which he describes as a delicious and appetising fish, at the low rate of 2s. 6d. per barrel of about 350 lbs.; if he is aware that the only reason why the British public are deprived of an abundant supply of this cheap fish food throughout the year is because of the lack of adequate cold storage accommodation for fish and other perishable foodstuffs in nearly every important town and city throughout the United Kingdom; and what action, if any, is being taken by the Government, or by private enterprise, or by public authorities to provide this urgent requirement so that good and cheap food now being wasted may be saved and preserved for the use of the public?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONIn reply to the first part of the question, I am84W Ministry of Agriculture whether he can give figures showing the amount and value of imported flour in 1920 as compared with 1914; and the countries of origin?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONI have been asked to reply. The following Table gives the quantities and values of wheat meal and flour imported into the United Kingdom from January to September inclusive in the years 1914 and 1920 (as given in the monthly accounts relating to the trade and navigation of the United Kingdom).
informed that the price mentioned represents approximately the prime cost of the fish. This, however, is a very small part of the price to the consumer in this-country, to arrive at which the costs of barrels, freezing, labour, freight and distribution have to be added. It is understood that consignments of this fish have already been imported into this country and placed in cold store at Liverpool, and that further importation has been checked not by the lack of adequate cold storage accommodation, of which there is at present sufficient throughout the country, but by the small demand for this form of food.