HC Deb 21 June 1944 vol 401 cc190-1
51. Mr. Wootton-Davies

asked the Minister of Food whether it is the policy of his Department that British Restaurants which cannot pay their way should be closed down.

The Minister of Food (Colonel Llewellin)

Yes, Sir, but only after every effort has been made to place the restaurant concerned on a self-supporting basis.

Mr. A. Edwards

Can the Minister say what proportion of these restaurants are not self-supporting?

Colonel Llewellin

In the last year the net number closed down was eight.

52. Mr. Hugh Lawson

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that the Skipton Urban District Council has decided not to establish a British Restaurant; if he has been informed of the reasons for this decision; and if he is satisfied that the reasons are adequate.

Colonel Llewellin

Yes, Sir. I have been informed that the Skipton urban district council has decided not to establish a British Restaurant. As the hon. Member is aware, this responsibility rests with the local authority concerned, and I do not consider that I should intervene in this case.

Mr. Evelyn Walkden

Has it not been the policy of the Minister, when a local authority has refused, for reasons best known to itself, to open a British Restaurant, to hold an inquiry and to establish one himself in certain areas?

Colonel Llewelhn

No, Sir, that has not been the policy.

53. Mr. Hugh Lawson

asked the Minister of Food who bore the cost of transporting the parts of a sectional hut to Skipton for the purpose of erecting a British Restaurant; and who bore the cost of their removal.

Colonel Llewellin

The costs both of transporting the parts of the hut to Skip-ton and of removing them will be borne by the Exchequer.