§ 99. Mr. LORT-WILLIAMSasked the Food Controller whether he is aware that there is considerable delay in dealing with applications for permission to open retail businesses for the supply of food; and whether he will take steps to expedite the granting of such applications?
§ Sir R. HORNEI have been asked to reply to this question. In considering applications for the opening of a new food business, inquiries must be made not only as to whether the proposed business would be likely to affect detrimentally any recently discharged or serving soldier, but whether, in the opinion of the Ministry of Food, the business is required in the public interests, having regard to the schemes for distribution of food. In certain cases these inquiries necessarily occupy some little time, but every effort is made to carry the matter through as expeditiously as possible.
§ 100. Mr. LORT-WILLIAMSasked the Food Controller whether he is aware that a licence was granted on the 11th February, 1919, to Francis Apicello, a man of Italian extraction who has done no war service, to open a shop for the sale of light refreshments at 28, Tower Bridge Road; whether he undertook not to grant such permits without the approval of a local food control committee; whether such approval was given in this case; and whether he is aware that Mr. Apicello very heavily competes with the shop opened by Mr. Thomas Woolsgrove, a discharged soldier, of 48, Tower Bridge Road, for which a permit for the sale of light refreshments was granted on the 12th February, 1919?
§ Sir R. HORNEMy hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. I am making inquiry as to the facts of the case, and will communicate the result to the hon. Member in due course.