VIII.-Consumption in the British Isles.

31. The figures in Appendix I also show the annual consumption of fish per head of population, for each year and for four year periods before and after the War. An adjustment has to be made in the figures shown in that Appendix owing to the inclusion in the table of the figures of the Irish Free State up to and including 1922. It is estimated that to make the figures of per caput consumption for those earlier years strictly comparable with those for the period 1923-26, and applicable only to Great Britain and Northern Ireland the per caput consumption for the four year periods up to 1922 should be increased by 1 lbs. If this estimate be approximately correct, the average consumption per head of all kinds of sea fish in the United Kingdom is remarkably steady-at 39.5 lbs., 40.8 lbs., and 40.3 lbs.-in each of these four year periods.

32. The annual consumption of all kinds of fish per head of population is steadier than might have been expected, in view of the widely held belief that the retail prices of fish have not, in the last few years, fallen comparably with those of other articles of food. This belief derives considerable support from the tables regularly published by the Ministry of Labour, which show the percentage increases in the retail prices of foodstuffs above those of 1914. We quote extracts from those tables showing the percentage increases in retail prices for different articles of food on 1st July, 1921, and 1st July, 1927.

Average percentage increase as compared with July, 1914, on 1st July, 1921. 1st July, 1927.

Eggs (fresh)

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34

We have not attempted to analyse the reasons for the disparity here shown between the retail prices of fish and those of other foods such as meat, bread and eggs. That question is before the Food Council. The point we wish to make is that notwithstanding this disparity the per caput consumption of fish as a whole is maintained.

33. Yet in spite of the steadiness in the total consumption of fish, the table in Appendix I indicates that a change in the nature of the demand is taking place. The consumption of white fish per head of population has increased since the War,

that of pelagic (herrings) has definitely decreased. This might be due

(a) to inability of the people to get herrings through failure of supply; or

(b) to herrings having become more expensive than white fish either actually or relatively; or

(c) to a number of more indefinite causes associated with changes in the conduct of trade or in the tastes and habits of the people; or

(d) to a combination of these causes.

We have had no evidence of any failure in the supply of herrings. In fact, although the export trade is depressed and exports are far below their pre-War quantities, yet the quantity of herrings exported is more than twice that retained for consumption in the country. The decrease in both the total and the per caput consumption of herrings cannot be ascribed to any shortage in supply.

34. We are not in a position to express an opinion on the changes in retail prices. As we have stated, that question is within the province of the Food Council. The statements have been made to us that, whilst herrings, pound for pound, are still cheaper than "white" fish, yet the increase in the retail prices of herrings is greater than that in the retail price of white" fish, and that, whereas, before the War, fresh herrings

66

"two a penny " and kippers "1d. to 1d. a pair," now they are usually sold at sixpence or tenpence a pound, which works out at twopence for a fresh herring and slightly over threepence for a kipper. If the increase in the retail prices of herrings has been much greater than that in "white" fish, that would doubtless account for some of the change in demand from herrings to "white" fish.

The only comment which we desire to make on these statements of retail prices, is that we can see nothing in the variations in wholesale prices to lead us to conclude that the retail prices of herrings should have increased out of all proportion to those of "white" fish. The following table gives the percentage increases in the last four years in the average annual wholesale prices above those of 1913 for herrings and for certain of the commoner white" fish:

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In 1923 the catch of herrings was of very poor quality and fetched low wholesale prices. The table shows that the wholesale prices of the two classes of fish have varied independently

of each other, but have not been so dissimilar as to create the supposition that the increases in the retail prices of herrings should be out of all proportion to those of "white" fish.

35. Variations in retail prices may account for some of this change in demand, but other influences, of which some are possibly of a more permanent character, have affected it. Our attention has been drawn to the great decrease in the number of street hawkers who, before the War did a large trade in many towns, especially in kippers. The fried fish shop deals mostly in "white" fish, the fish hawker mostly in kippers and herrings; and a serious curtailment in the facilities for buying herrings cheaply and easily would reduce the per caput consumption of herrings. If, at the same time, the number of fried fish shops has increased substantially or, if those shops are doing a larger turnover than before the War, then the change in demand from herrings to white fish is partially explained. It is possible, too, that fashion and custom have played some part in the change. In our inquiry into Meat, we noted that the demand for what are deemed to be the better cuts is becoming more general and more insistent. A similar tendency may be at work here. White fish certainly offers a greater variety of choice than do herrings, it is frequently less bony and, if the retail prices of herrings now approach those of white fish more closely than was formerly the case, then it is very probable that white fish will be preferred, though the actual cost per pound is somewhat greater. Alterations in retail prices to the disadvantage of herrings, curtailments in the facilities for obtaining herrings easily and cheaply, and a greater inclination to buy white fish, have all probably contributed to cause this change in demand from herrings to white fish. Whatever the full explanation may be, the facts so shown by the table in Appendix I in the circumstances of to-day, are striking :

(i.) Practically all the white fish, of a nature suitable for consumption as fresh fish, brought to Great Britain, is consumed in the country, in spite of high retail prices.

(ii.) In contrast to this, at a time of great depression in the export trade, the home consumption of herrings is a little over 32 per cent. of the total supply available in the country;

(iii.) Whereas in the four years preceding the War the average annual per caput consumption of white fish was three times that of herrings, in the four years 1922-1926 it was five times.

36. The deductions which we draw from this examination

are:

(i.) that the public of the British Isles treat fish as part of their regular diet even though it is comparatively expensive;

(ii) that they are turning to white fish in increasing degree, in spite of its being more expensive than herrings. It follows that if retail fish prices were in closer harmony with those of other foodstuffs there should be a widening market, at any rate for white fish, in Great Britain. We hesitate to forecast the limits of the demand that might arise were white fish ample in supply, excellent in quality and cheap in retail price. But were foreign imports displaced to the extent of only onehalf, and were there a 10 per cent. increase in per caput consumption, a market would be created in Great Britain which would require British landings of white fish well in excess of any yet attained, and might leave an unsatisfied demand to be met from other Empire sources.

37. An important step has, we understand, been taken by a number of firms in Great Britain engaged in the trawler industry. The Chairman of the British Trawlers' Federation, in association with other leaders of the industry has issued invitations to form an Association for the purpose of initiating an advertising campaign advocating the eating of more fish on the lines of the "Eat More Fruit Campaign. But, as we have had occasion to reiterate in every report which we have yet issued, money spent on advertising will be thrown away, unless the article advertised is forthcoming in adequate quantity to meet the increased demand, of the best quality and at reasonable prices. We are convinced that if the conditions stated above be complied with, and enterprise be given free scope, British consumers may be induced to regard fish, not as an article supplementary to other fare, but as a staple food of high nutritive value.

38. We think it opportune at this point to record the fact that the representatives on our body of the Newfoundland and Canadian Governments have expressly disclaimed any desire to damage the home industry of Great Britain. They wish, in so far as it may be possible, to supplant foreign importation of fish into Great Britain and to share in the future growth of the market. We believe that, with a more regular and cheaper supply of fish in the best condition, the demand in Great Britain. will be such as to absorb the increasing quantities forthcoming from the home fisheries as well as from the fisheries of Newfoundland, Labrador, and the Maritime provinces of Canada.

IX.-Fishing Grounds usually visited by British Vessels.

39. The chief ports of entry of fish of British catching and imported, with the average annual quantity so landed during the five years 1921-1925 are as follows:

The more important British fishing fleets are based on the ports in the first portion of this table. Smaller fleets operate from many smaller ports. All kinds of fish, except hake, are landed in abundance at Grimsby and Hull; Aberdeen also has a large range in which cod and haddock take first places; Fleetwood is primarily a port for hake and Yarmouth and Lowestoft specialise in herrings.

Both the Fleetwood and Milford Haven fleets operate in Atlantic waters as far as the 200 fathom line, the one working to the North and the other to the South of Ireland. The fleets from Eastern ports cover the North Sea and range from the White Sea to Iceland and the Faroes.

British fishing vessels do not enter the Baltic or the Mediterranean; a few visit the seas off Portugal and Morocco. and an occasional voyage is made to Newfoundland and Davis Straits.

40. The area thus covered is extensive. The kinds of fish caught in its various sections arranged in order of their importance are as follows:

South and West of England... Herring, mackerel...

Herring, cod and haddock are available in large quantities from several grounds. Plaice, halibut and hake are found in more