HC Deb 20 July 1943 vol 391 cc690-1
51. Mr. De la Bère

asked the Minister without Portfolio whether he will give favourable consideration to the granting of early release from the Forces to those one-man traders who are now being called up, by allowing these men priority of demobilisation on the conclusion of hostilities, since this would assist many small traders who are threatened with having to close down in the near future to continue to maintain their businesses?

The Minister without Portfolio (Sir William Jowitt)

In regard to the early release of special groups or individuals, I cannot at present add anything to the statement made by the Deputy Prime Minister on 15th July in answer to my hon. Friend the Member for East Fife (Mr. Henderson Stewart).

Mr. De la Bère

Is my right hon. and learned Friend aware that the position of the little man and little woman trader in this country is daily becoming more and more precarious? Is it not necessary that upon the cessation of hostilities, they should receive some special consideration?

Sir W. Jowitt

I am aware of their difficulties, but I am also aware that we must not allow the general scheme to be endangered by a multiplicity of exemptions.

Major Petherick

Will my right hon. Friend not reconsider this matter? Will he bear in mind that many of these small traders have had to close down their businesses and that before they can start those businesses again some of them will have to rebuild their premises and all of them will have to find the money to do so? Will he therefore remember that they deserve earlier demobilisation than men who will be returning to work under employers?