§ 56. Mr. Glossopasked the Minister of Food if he will state the number of applications received to start fried fish shops in rural districts during the last 12 months, together with the number of applications which have been granted.
§ Mr. StracheyI regret that separate information about rural districts is not available. In the U.K. as a whole there were during the 12 months to 15th October, 1946, 2,379 applications for fried fish licences, of which 1,163 were granted.
§ Mr. GlossopIn view of the importance of increasing these facilities, if I repeat the Question in 14 days can I have the information then?
§ Mr. StracheyI cannot promise that. Our staffs are very hard pressed and could not be put on to that. Whatever the necessity is, it would not be likely to make it possible for us to license more shops, because of the difficulty of fats.
§ Mr. GlossopIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I give notice that I will raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible moment.
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Member who asked the Question has given notice that he will raise it further on the Adjournment and, therefore, no further supplementary can be asked.