§ Mr. TICKLERasked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that large quantities of fish are being made into manure at Grimsby, in a great measure owing to the high charges made for transport to industrial centres; and will he endeavour to promote measures to secure this valuable food to relieve the distress amongst the unemployed?
Sir A. BOSCAWENI assume that my hon. Friend refers to the destruction of fresh fish and not to fish which has been condemned as unfit for human consumption. I am aware that occasionally considerable quantities of fresh fish are used2130W at Grimsby for conversion, not, as a rule, into manure, but into meal for cattle or poultry when there is a glut and the demand of the ordinary buyers fails. I think the slackness of the market for fish is attributable mainly to the general industrial depression and consequent unemployment in the country, though high railway charges and the requirement of the railway companies that carriage should be paid for in advance may be contributing factors. I shall be happy to consider any suggestions which my hon. Friend may be prepared to advance for using surplus fish for the relief of distress amongst the unemployed, provided that such measures do not involve the expenditure of public money.