90. Lieut.-Commander Hutchisonasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he is aware that the Herring Industries Board recently ordered the fishing fleet at an East Coast port to remain in harbour so as to prevent a glut of herring being landed; and whether, having regard to the cut in the fish ration in the British zone of Germany, he will, in future, arrange that catches of herring not required for consumption in the United Kingdom be diverted to feed the people in the British zone.
§ Mr. J. HyndI understand the order was given to make possible the handling of an exceptional accumulation of herring already caught, and to obviate the arrival of quantities of additional fish which could not have been handled either for the home market or for export. The diversion to the British zone of Germany of sudden large surpluses of fish presents many difficulties, including the restricted range of fishing trawlers, the perishable nature of the catch and the limited manpower and other facilities at our ports. Nevertheless, large118W quantities of fish arc being shipped to the British zone including 25,000 tons of curred herring and 20,000 tons of klondyked herring, in addition to 5,000 tons of white fish already delivered as a result of a glut, during September. Within the limits of what is practicable I am doing everything possible to ensure that the British zone shall benefit by any surpluses of fish.