§ Mr. A. Lewisasked the Minister of Food what representations he has received from the Trades Union Congress General Council on the need for the introduction of price control on fish and rabbits; and what reply he has given to their requests.
§ Mr. WebbThe General Council asked me to introduce emergency control on the price of fish and rabbits. For reasons which I have explained to the Council and, as regards fish, in the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland (Mr. Grimond) on 4th June, I have told them that I do not feel that such control would be in the interests of the consumer at the present time. I have, also invited the Council to appoint representatives to discuss the problem of the prices of perishable foods with me, if they so desire.
§ Mr. A. Lewisasked the Minister of Food if he is aware that on 10th May, at Grimsby Fish Market, 140,000 lb. of 179W fish was sent for fish meal; and cod, sold for less than 3d. per lb., was being sold in Manchester and London at 1s. 2d. to 1s. 6d. per lb.; that cod costing 4d. per lb. on Hull Quayside sold retail in shops a few yards away for 1s. per lb.; that haddock, 6½d. per lb. quayside, was 1s. 6d. per lb. in shops; that in London, plaice was 2s. to 2s. 6d. per lb.; and, as these retail prices are above those allowed under price control, whether he will now re-introduce price control.
§ Mr. WebbI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland (Mr. Grimond) on 4th June.