§ 52. Lord Willoughby de Eresbyasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider giving some form of financial assistance to small firms and businesses who had no E.P.T. standard in the past, and who were therefore unable to build up any substantial capital reserves, in view of the fact that they are today unable to meet the cost of keeping their businesses open during the present stoppage of work resulting from the fuel shortage.
§ Mr. DaltonNo, Sir. I am afraid that this would be quite impracticable.
§ Lord Willoughby de EresbyIn view of the fact that the losses these firms have suffered are in no way their responsibility, and the Government have a certain 1881 responsibility to provide for them, does not the Chancellor of the Exchequer consider they should have some assistance?
§ Mr. DaltonI am afraid it is quite impracticable, from the administrative point of view, to single out the group of people the noble Lord has in mind. It is not possible to do it.