§ 78. Mr. Grimondasked the Minister of Food whether he has yet decided to re-impose controlled prices for white fish.
§ Mr. WebbThe Order, which controlled fish prices, was revoked on April 15th, 1950. It is true that during the past year there have been periods of high prices, but at present the prices of cod and haddock, which make up the great proportion of our supplies, have fallen to around the old control levels, which, in view of the general increase in producers' and distributors' costs, I do not consider unreasonable. In the circumstances, I do not think that at present it would be in the public interest to re-impose control. In any event, price control will not cure the disparity between prices at ports and in the shops. The solution of this problem, which is a most complex and delicate one, can only be found through the long-term plans for reorganising the industry which the new White Fish Authority is charged to carry through.