§ Mr. PETOasked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether his Depart- 1569W ment estimate the increased demand for fish due to the limited supply of meat at or at more than double normal pre-war demand; what steps have been taken to increase the supply in proportion; and whether he anticipates that during the summer the supply will be equal to the demand?
§ Mr. PROTHEROIt is impossible at this stage to forecast the increased demand for fish due to the shortage and rationing of other foods. I cannot within the limits of a Parliamentary question state in detail the action by the Board to stimulate the production of fish. I shall be happy to send nay hon. Friend, if he wishes it, a full memorandum on the subject. With the material in men and boats now available, it is, in my opinion, impossible to increase supplies from our home fisheries to anything like the demand.