HC Deb 21 February 1918 vol 103 cc931-2W
Mr. ROBINSON

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether any and, if so, what steps are being taken to make available for the nation's food supply an additional amount of fresh-water fish during the coming season, sport for the time giving way to the national need?

Sir R. WINFREY

The Fresh-water Fish Committee, who have carefully examined the question, are clearly of opinion that little relief could be afforded from the fresh-water fisheries of England and Wales. Difficulties of labour, transport, and other facilities for collecting these scattered supplies are such that to bring the fresh-water fish to the markets in commercial quantities appears to be practically impossible. In certain cases the Board have been able to assist local operations for increasing supplies from this source. A leaflet on the subject of the various methods of preparing and cooking fresh-water fish has also been issued. The Board hope to receive very shortly from the Fresh-water Fish Committee recommendations as to the extension in suitable cases of the open season for catching various kinds of fresh-water fish. The Committee have also submitted to the Board a scheme for increasing the output of eels, and the Board hope shortly to put their recommendations into effect.