§ Mr. Liddallasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that nearly 500 boxes of Eire salmon and grilse, imported by his Ministry, reached Billingsgate on 15th June for sale there on commission by the four firms who act as the Ministry's agents; that this quantity was more than buyers were prepared to purchase at the maximum control price of 4s. 6d. per pound, but instead of selling it under the maximum price they refused to let it be so sold and it was put back in store; and will he see that this is not permitted to happen again?
§ Mr. MabaneI have seen a newspaper report making the allegations repeated in the Question, and I am glad to have the opportunity of stating that the report is entirely without foundation. Since the imposition of maximum prices for salmon on 1st June, at levels substantially below prices ruling previously, the demand has 1995W been many times multiplied. So far from there being any question of buyers not being prepared to pay the maximum price, sellers have had to ration their customers. Over 400 boxes of Eire salmon and grilse, which reached Billingsgate market on the morning of 15th June, were sold immediately at maximum prices. Later in he day a further 80 boxes arrived too late to catch the market, and in accordance with the usual trade practice these were held, over in ice for the next day's market. I am informed that they were all sold at maximum prices on the following morning.