§ 45. Mr. Daggarasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, in view of his decision to give consideration to the objections of caterers to the establishment of British Restaurants, he will provide for the submission of evidence by those who desire such restaurants at the inquiry he has decided to set up; and whether he will state the character of this inquiry?
The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (Major Lloyd George)I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Kilmarnock (Mr. Lindsay) on 28th January, 1942, in which I stated the policy of my Noble Friend as regards British Restaurants. Should it be necessary for inquiry to be made locally by a representative of the Ministry of Food, it will be his duty to ascertain all relevant facts, and before a decision is reached full consideration will be given to the case for establishing a British Restaurant as well as to the case of the local catering trade.
Viscountess AstorWill the right hon. and gallant Gentleman consider above all the satisfaction of a public need?
Major Lloyd GeorgeThat has been the policy all along. The present procedure is purely a question of giving those who desire to raise objections an opportunity of doing so.