§ 54. Lieut.-Colonel Marloweasked the Minister of Food whether it is a condition of the granting of a catering licence that the applicant should have been in similar business before the war or whether the policy is to give preference to such individuals; and how many licences, particularly in the ice-cream business, have been granted to persons of Italian or German origin.
§ Colonel LlewellinThe answer to the first part of the Question is, "No, Sir." In general, a licence for a new catering business is not granted unless the business is required to meet the essential needs of consumers, but this condition is not applied in the case of an ex-trader released from the Forces or from work of national importance who wishes to reopen a former business which he closed as a result of the war. With regard to the latter part of the Question, I regret that the information is not available.
§ Lieut.-Colonel MarloweHas the right hon. and gallant Gentleman any idea of how many licences have been issued to Italians? What steps is he taking to ensure that a reasonable proportion of these licences are reserved for men who have been serving overseas, and to ascertain that they are issued to such men?
§ Colonel LlewellinTo get an accurate account I should have to circulate 1,200 food offices; but I know that no Italian 217 has got a licence unless there has been a consumer need, and normally only in cases where Italians have bought existing businesses and want to carry them on.