HC Deb 28 November 1945 vol 416 c1321
62 and 63. Mr. Harry Thorneycroft

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) the total number of licences granted to traders who have acquired the goodwill of existing businesses; and the number granted to co-operative societies, multiple stores and other traders, respectively;

(2) the total number of retail business licences granted for the opening of new retail businesses up to the last available date; the number granted to multiple stores, co-operative societies and other traders.

Mr. Ellis Smith

Between 1st January 1942, when the Location of Retail Businesses Order came into force, and September 30th, 1945, 17,849 licences were granted for the opening of new businesses. Of these, 327 were granted to multiple stores; 94 to co-operative societies, and 17,428 to other traders. During the same period, 17,146 licences were granted to traders who had acquired the goodwill of existing businesses. Of these, 370 were granted to multiple stores; 338 to co-operative societies; and 16,438 to other traders.