§ Mr. Dribergasked the Minister of Food if, in view of the expected improvement in the supply of fish and the necessarily increased dependence on it for variety of diet, he will state what steps he is taking to improve the distribution of fish in rural areas.
§ Sir B. SmithI am prepared to consider sympathetically all applications to open retail fish businesses in villages or districts which are poorly served, and 1 would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given today to my hon. Friend the Member for East Willesden (Mr. Orbach). All licensees are given a minimum entitlement of fish which, from 2nd March next when zoning comes to an end, they will be able to augment with surplus fish from any port or market in the country.
§ Mr. Ecclesasked the Minister of Food what action he proposes to take to further the distribution of fish in villages which are now without a supply.
§ Sir B. SmithAll cases in which complaints are made of unsatisfactory fish distribution are carefully investigated and additional licences and allocations of fish are granted to suitable applicants.
§ Mr. Skeffington - Lodgeasked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the shortage of supplies of fish in Bedford, he will take steps to increase these by arranging, if necessary, for deliveries from additional sources.
§ Sir B. SmithDuring the winter, fish supplies have generally been low, but Bedford has received its fair share per head of the population. In addition to its regular supplies from Fleetwood, Bedford can at present obtain surplus fish238W from Grimsby, Hull and Lowestoft, and from 2nd March, when zoning comes to an end, it will be able to get surplus fish from any port in the country.