§ 63. Mr. Manderasked the Minister of Food if he will state the number of persons now on the register of small traders who have closed down in the food trades owing to the war; and whether he will give an assurance that, in granting licences, regard will be had to co-ordination between this factor and the allocation of supplies.
§ Colonel LlewellinAll food retailers have been required to be licensed. Information is accordingly available in local Food Offices of retailers who have closed their businesses during the war, but the number of such retailers could only be obtained with an expenditure of time and labour which would not be justified.
§ Mr. ManderCan the Minister say whether it is proposed to offer any facilities to those small traders after the war by way of loans or priority in demobilisation?
§ Colonel LlewellinNeither of those are matters for me, of course. Certainly an ex-food retailer who has been in the Services will have priority for a licence to re-open his shop.
§ Mr. Evelyn WalkdenWill the same principle apply to catering shops as well?