§ 60. Mr. Sutcliffeasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that certain local food officers are issuing notices in forming individual shopkeepers with less than 25 customers that rationed goods will not be distributed to them; whether this is the correct method of notification; whether the customers are to be told; and whether any official announcement has been made?
Major Lloyd GeorgeYes, Sir, whenever a retailer does not secure a minimum of 25 registrations for any rationed food the appropriate food executive officer, after notification to the retailer, has been instructed to invite the consumers concerned to register with another retailer. In rural districts the food executive officer has, however, authority in exceptional cases to accept less than 25 registrations if he is satisfied that only by this means will, certain members of the public be able to obtain supplies. In reply to the last 731 part of my hon. Friend's Question, a general Press announcement on the foregoing lines was issued on 4th July.
§ Mr. SutcliffeHow many shopkeepers are likely to be involved, and has any estimate been made of the saving in transport costs as a result of this drastic action?
Major Lloyd GeorgeI could not say without notice the exact numbers involved, but I can assure my hon. Friend that it does mean a saving. Any saving, however small, if we see that a certain method of distribution is wasteful, should be taken advantage of.
§ Mr. Rhys DaviesIs there any estimate of the number of shopkeepers who will be put out of business as a result of this step?
Mr. Graham WhiteIs it proposed to give compensation to those who have their livelihood taken away by this action?
Major Lloyd GeorgeIf my hon. Friend will consider what this means and will work it out, he will see that it will involve 25 registrations, which means at most six families. It means 25 books, not 25 families. My hon. Friend will see what that means in the volume of trade, and I do not think compensation is required.
Mr. WhiteIf my hon. and gallant Friend will look further into the matter, he will find that people are being forced to close their businesses and become a burden on the rates. Will he consider what effect that has on the morale of the people?
Major Lloyd GeorgeI do not understand how people can be forced to close their businesses and go on the rates before this has come into operation.
§ Mr. Rhys DaviesWill the Minister bear in mind that when customers are forced away from these small businesses they will not go to them for anything else and that the shopkeepers will have to close?
Major Lloyd GeorgeI would point out that not all the rationed commodities are sold by any one of these people. We must get a proper sense of proportion. 732 The question of hardship has been mentioned, and let me give one example, that of sugar. The gross profit to a shopkeeper selling sugar to 25 people is about 7d. a week.