§ 84. Earl WINTERTONasked the Minister of National Service why a licence to open new businesses applied for respectively by Mr. John Lord Crabtree, of 86, Marine Parade, Worthing, and Mr. H. de Costa, of 1, Victoria Road, Brighton, have not been granted or any acknowledgment of their applications sent to the applicants?
§ Sir R. HORNEI have been asked to answer this question. Mr. Crabtree applied for a licence to open a new business on 9th April, and a licence was issued to him on 26th April. There is no trace of an application by Mr. de Costa; but an application by Mrs. de Costa was made on 12th February and acknowledged on 19th February. Some delay was caused by the inquiries necessary in this case, but a licence was issued to Mrs. de Costa on 1st April.
§ Earl WINTERTONCan the right hon. Gentleman explain why these licences are never granted till a question is asked in this House?
§ Sir R. HORNEOh, I think surely the Noble Lord is not quite fair in putting it that way. The licence was granted to Mrs. de Costa on 1st April, a long time ago.