54. Lieut.-Colonel Sir Ian Fraserasked the Minister of Food if he will extend his Order permitting the re-opening by ex-Service men and women of their food shops, so that disabled ex-Service men and women, whose condition restricts opportunities for ordinary employment, but who are suitable for shopkeeping, may start shops even if they have not hitherto !been shopkeepers.
§ Colonel LlewellinI do not wish disabled ex-Service men to put such savings as they may have into starting a shop which may be a failure and, so long as food rationing on its present scale continues, the number of openings for successful new shops are few. Within these limits I am consulting my colleagues to see what can be done for disabled ex-Service men in this direction.
§ Mr. LeslieWill the Minister bear in mind what happened after the last war, when ex-Service men were cajoled into opening shops, for which they had no experience, and lost all their money?
§ Colonel LlewellinThat kind of situation was what my answer was intended to avoid.
§ Sir I. FraserWill the Minister not hide behind this fear that they may lose their gratuities, but give such of them as are competent and full of initiative the chance to become masters of their own small businesses? Will he use discretion in this matter, and not allow fear to deprive these men of their chance?
§ Colonel LlewellinI am having the matter looked into thoroughly, and certainly I hope something can be done in proper cases.