§ 19 and 20. Mr. Dolandasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether, in view of the questionnaire issued by the committee set up by the Board of Trade, particularly in view of one of the 24 questions which asks trade associations if they consider that steps should be taken to reduce the number of shops, it is the policy of the Government to endeavour to eliminate a large number of small shops in London and the country either by voluntary or compulsory means;
(2) whether he is aware that owing primarily to the incidence of war 941 shops are empty in the borough of Wandsworth, compared with 308 as at March, 1939; and will he bear in mind this wholesale closing of small businesses all over the country causing great hardship to thousands of persons, when considering legislation regarding the retail trading community?
§ Captain WaterhouseThe Board of Trade are aware that largely owing to war circumstances a number of shops have had to close, and that hardship has in some cases inevitably resulted. The Retail Trade Committee, who drew up the questionnaire to which my hon. Friend refers, was set up to examine the numerous and complex problems confronting retail traders, and I cannot anticipate their findings. I can, however, assure my hon. Friend that the interests of the small shopkeeper have not been, and will not be, overlooked, and I would refer him to the statement made on 13th May when the appointment of this Committee was announced.