HC Deb 09 February 1943 vol 386 cc1157-8
29. Major Lyons

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of former shopkeepers now on the Register prepared for those who have ceased to carry on business?

Mr. Dalton

Up to last Saturday some 1,500 applications for admission to the Register had been received. These are now being examined.

Major Lyons

In view of the fact that those figures in no way represent the large number of persons who have been put out of business through no fault of their own, will the right hon. Gentleman say that the Government really mean to do something for these unfortunate people?

Mr. Dalton

The Question I was asked was how many people had applied to be put on the Register. I have informed the House more than once—and I think, generally speaking, that the statement of Government policy has been well received—that the first step must be to get these names on the Register. That work is now proceeding, and 1,500 have already applied to be put on the Register.

Major Lyons

Has any step been taken by his Department, which has all those Under-Secretaries of which we have just heard, to write to the people who are qualified to come on to the Register?

Mr. Dalton

Of course, steps have been taken; otherwise, we should have not have had 1,500 people already applying.