asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether arrangements are in being or prospect for a further supply of fish from Icelandic waters; and whether the Icelandic fishing craft and carriers are being made use of or are still inactive?

Major Lloyd George:

My Department has made arrangements to purchase the total catch of Icelandic fish until the end of June, 1942. A number of Icelandic fishing craft has been laid up since the spring of this year. My Department has, of course, no power to compel Icelandic boats to proceed to sea, but has made adequate arrangements to bring to this country all fish purchased.

Can my right hon. and gallant Friend say why it is that these fishermen are so reluctant to fish?

Major Lloyd George:

I should not say that they are, but it must be remembered that the weather has been extremely bad.

Do I understand that the weather has been consistently bad for six months?

Major Lloyd George:

It has been consistently bad since September.

Mr. J. Henderson:

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether his attention has been directed to the complaints of the Manchester and District Fish Friers' Association about the serious shortage of fish suitable for the frying trade; and, in view of the fact that a large number of working-class families are catered for by this trade, will he take all steps to secure more adequate supplies being allocated to the fish friers' trade in Manchester?

Major Lloyd George:

Yes, Sir. During recent weeks fish has been in short supply in all districts, owing to circumstances beyond the control of my Department. My Department is endeavouring to secure as equitable distribution of the reduced supplies as is possible.

Will my right hon. and gallant Friend undertake to give the fish friers in all areas of the industrial North the same consideration as is being shown to British Restaurants?

Major Lloyd George:

I think the hon. Member will find, if he takes the country as a whole, that they are getting the same consideration, but the supplies have been extremely short.

Can the Minister give the British public a better explanation than the weather for the shortage of fish, as all over the country there has been a notorious shortage and people are puzzled as to what is the real reason, whether it is the price or bombing?

Major Lloyd George:

When I say that it is the weather that is responsible, I can assure my hon. Friend that it is so. I know what supplies come into the country, and my Department can only distribute what is coming in.

Nobody believes it is the weather.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware of the discontent in London and other large centres of population at the wholly inadequate supply of fish; and whether he will take over all supplies when landed and secure a fair distribution over the whole country at reasonable prices?

Major Lloyd George:

The present shortage of fish is due to reduced supplies and is not primarily due to unequal distribution. The shortage, which is general and not restricted, as my hon. Friend suggests, to large towns, is due to smaller imports from Iceland consequent on bad weather conditions and to reduced landings by British trawlers. My Noble Friend is satisfied that supplies will, for seasonal reasons, soon increase and he sees no need at present to adopt the suggestions contained in the Question.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that last year the weather was worse than it has been this year and that last year there was, a greater supply of fish?

Major Lloyd George:

I am sorry, but I cannot agree with my hon. Friend that the weather this time last year was worse.