HC Deb 26 January 1944 vol 396 cc689-90
53. Sir R. Young

asked the Minister of Food whether all applications to open a restaurant in any part of the country by private individuals are refused or, if not, why he refused Christos Photopoulos, an invalided ex-Serviceman highly recommended by his officer, a flight-lieutenant, R.A.F., who is prepared to finance Mr. Photopoulos if a licence is granted in Manchester; whether he is aware that the applicant sacrificed a similar business to join the R.A.F. and that eight members of his family are serving with the British forces.

The Minister of Food (Colonel Llewellin)

Applications for licences to open new restaurants are considered by local food control committees, who recommend the granting of a licence if there is a need in the district for the proposed restaurant. In the case in question the Manchester food control committee was satisfied that there was no demand in that district for a restaurant of the type that it was proposed to open. The answer to the last part of the Question is, "Yes, Sir," but that business was in London.

Sir R. Young

Can the right hon. and gallant Gentleman give any indication why a man in this position, who has served the country and is reported by his officer to be a monument of loyalty and discipline, and who gave up his business in order to join the Forces, cannot now go back to the business in which he was before the war?

Colonel Llewellin

That is not really true. What this man applied for was to open a new restaurant in an area in which there were already 20 restaurants within a radius of a quarter of a mile.

Mr. McKinlay

Is the Minister aware that there are any number of "phony" war records going about, held by Greeks and Cypriots and others, for services they never rendered, and under which they are granted licences to take part in catering?

Mr. Mathers

Can the hon. Member substantiate that statement?

Mr. McKinlay

I can substantiate it.

Sir R. Young

Can the right hon. and gallant Gentleman say that this airman has not given the service I have quoted in my Question; and is it not a fact that this man's application was for a special purpose?

Colonel Llewellin

This man had a restaurant in London which he left in order to serve the country during the war. I know nothing against him during his service whatsoever, but he applied for a licence to open a new restaurant in this district of Manchester where, as I say, there were 20 restaurants within a radius of a quarter of a mile. He said that it was for a special purpose. The words of his application were: To serve the needs of the more conservative diner, the gourmet and the connoisseur.