asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that supplies of English salt are now being withheld from the herring fishing industry; and, in view of the fact that imported salt is greatly inferior for the purpose of keeping the herring in good condition, whether he will make a supply of English salt available.

I regret that the available supply of coal does not permit the production of sufficient coarse salt for the fishing industry. Imported salt is not, however, inferior in keeping qualities.