§ 57. Mr. Dribergasked the President of the Board of Trade if, in the discussion of impending trade agreements with European countries, he will bear in mind the possibility of reviving the export trade in sprats caught off the Essex coast, large quantities of which were exported to 183W Northern Europe before the war; and if, in this connection, he will make representations to the British Transport Commission against the closing of the Brightlingsea branch line, which is likely to affect adversely the speedy transport of sprats from Brightlingsea to the ports of dispatch.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftI will certainly bear the hon. Member's suggestion in mind. I would add, however, that under the liberalisation policy of the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation some European countries already allow fish of all kinds to be imported freely; while with some others we have already negotiated quotas for our exports of fish. As regards the second part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which my right hon. and gallant Friend the Minister of Food gave him on 27th July.