§ 76. Mr. Thomas Macphersonasked the Minister of Food if he is now in a position to make a further statement regarding licensing of retail food shops and, in particular, fish shops.
§ Sir B. SmithYes, Sir. Licences for retail fish businesses will in future be granted freely to all suitable applicants except where this would create an unnecessary number of distributors. I regret that I cannot make any immediate change in the licensing arrangements as regards other retail food businesses.
§ Mr. DribergCan my right hon. Friend say whether that includes licences for mobile fish and chips vans for rural areas, where they are badly needed?
§ Sir B. SmithI am not sure that it will affect fish and chips because that is governed a good deal by the oils and fats position. Nevertheless it is intended to open up direct service to the public by people using carts or trucks.
§ Mr. DribergIncluding rural areas?
§ Sir B. SmithYes, Sir.