§ 48. Sir O. Simmondsasked the Minister of Food the number of British Restaurants that are still being operated and the number which have been closed.
§ Colonel LlewellinThe numbers are 1,773 and 490 respectively.
§ Sir O. SimmondsCan my right hon. and gallant Friend assure the House in view of the cost of these British Restaurants to the taxpayers, over and above the recommendations that come from the local authorities, that he has carried out in his Department a careful and thorough review to show whether all these restaurants are still fulfilling their intended purpose?
§ Colonel LlewellinThe only cost that falls on the taxpayers is the initial capital cost. Then the restaurants are run on such a basis that that cost is amortised over a period of years and in the greater number of cases that is happening satisfactorily.