asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the low prices received by fishermen for their catch and the high prices charged by the retailer to the consumer for fish in many cases; and whether he will set up a committee on the lines of the Linlithgow Committee to investigate the matter?

The question raised has been under consideration for a long time past, but I do not think that any inquiry would add to the knowledge already in my possession, or would be the means of discovering a remedy. A very considerable discrepancy between the wholesale and retail prices of fish is due to its perishable nature and the fluctuations in supply.

Does that mean that the right hon. Gentleman sees no prospect of doing anything at all in the legislative field to remedy this?

That would go beyond the question. The information in my possession does not justify a Treasury inquiry. Perhaps the hon. and gallant Gentleman will furnish me with more.