HC Deb 12 November 1945 vol 415 c1882W
Mr. Henderson Stewart

asked the Minister of Foodwhat steps have been taken to implement the first recommendation of the Elliot Committee on the herring industry, to the effect that, as a matter of urgency, the Departments concerned should arrange for substantial sales of herring, through U.N.R.R.A. and other agencies, to European markets.

Sir B. Smith

From the beginning of the 1944 summer season, my Department has undertaken to pay the fishermen a guaranteed price for herrings surplus to home trade requirements. Such herrings are used for pickle-curing or redding, and my Department purchases from the curers at agreed prices all pickle-cured and red herrings of satisfactory quality. As a result of these steps, about 12,000 tons of pickle-cured herrings and 2,000 tons of red herrings have, up to 31st October last, been sold for the European market to military authorities, to U.N.R.R.A., and direct to our Allies.