HC Deb 25 October 1944 vol 404 cc165-7
56. Flight-Lieutenant Teeling

asked the Minister of Food what special arrangements he is making to meet catering difficulties in Brighton and elsewhere on the South Coast, arising out of the raising of the ban on visitors to these areas; and whether he is making any special arrange- ments to staff the hotels and catering establishments being, or likely to be, derequisitioned and re-opened.

Colonel Llewellin

I have recently given instructions that, in the coastal counties of the South and East of England which have been affected by the ban on visitors, favourable consideration shall be given to any application from a trader who wishes to re-open a catering establishment which he closed since the beginning of the war. The question of staff for these establishments is not a matter for my Department.

Sir I. Albery

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why feeding arrangements generally in the North of England are so much better than in catering establishments in the South?

Colonel Llewellin

That is rather a different question.

57. Flight-Lieutenant Teeling

asked the Minister of Food if he will now approach the war departments to arrange that all those at present serving who were previously in the food and catering business and who wish to return to this occupation after hostilities cease, be asked to state that this is their intention and where they previously traded, so as to enable Ministry officials to decide what licences may be granted in the immediate future to other applicants, without prejudicing ex-Servicemen's post-war chances.

Colonel Llewellin

No, Sir.

Mr. Evelyn Walkden

May I ask the Minister whether he intends to make a statement concerning facilities for ex-Servicemen to enter the catering trade, as distinct from the statement made outside by the Parliamentary Secretary?

Colonel Llewellin

The statement by the Parliamentary Secretary did not refer to that. It referred to people in particular areas: My right hon. Friend was in the Isle of Wight, when he made it, investigating these conditions, and had my full authority to make the statement. I am, of course, always ready to give information to the House.

Mr. Walkden

Will the ex-Servicemen get priority?

Flight-Lieut. Teeling

Does the Minister realise that large numbers of ex-Servicemen are most anxious to stake their claims, and that it is impossible at the present time to decide for what shops, or in what streets, licences can be given to people applying now, and that it is very unfair?

Colonel Llewellin

Ex-Servicemen who are ex-traders certainly get priority. That has been laid down or explained by the President of the Board of Trade on behalf of the whole Government, and I have enlarged upon it from the food interest point of view from time to time. Any ex-Serviceman can certainly write, either to the Ministry of Food or to the local food executive officer, saying that he wants to re-open his business as soon as he is demobilised; but we already have his name on the list, and, as soon as he is demobilised, he will immediately go into the priority class.