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Fish Distribution, Keighley

Volume 387: debated on Wednesday 10 March 1943

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56.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that fish supplies to Keighley in January under the zoning scheme averaged two ounces per head of the population; and whether, as large catches are being landed at the ports, he will arrange for a more equitable distribution?

I am advised that the supplies available in Keighley in January, while smaller than they should have been, were nevertheless substantially greater than is suggested by my hon. Friend. I regret that in the short time available I have not been able to collect the full information necessary to enable me to say what steps have been taken to rectify any deficiency.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that supplies of fish amounting to 483 stones, divided among 56,000 people, come to exactly what I said in my Question? Further, is he aware that this in no way corresponds with the large catches for this country and that a black market of huge dimensions is developing in fish?

As regards my hon. Friend's first point, I could not make out whether he was referring to weekly or monthly figures.

Assuming that the figure is accurate, or nearly so, can the hon. Gentleman say how it compares on a per capita basis with the fish distributed throughout the rest of the country?