§ 46. Mr. Stanley Prescottasked the Prime Minister in respect of how many and what kinds of, new businesses it is first necessary to obtain a licence from a Government Department, and which; how many applications for such licences have been received in the last 12 months and in respect of what categories; how many were granted; and, of the total number, how many were from ex-Servicemen and were refused.
§ The Prime MinisterAs the answer involves a number of figures I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. Sidney ShephardIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that unless an ex-Serviceman is disabled, it is almost impossible for him to start up in business on 2171 his own account, and is it not now time, two years after the end of he war, that the whole of this question should be reexamined?
§ The Prime MinisterThat is another question, and I would like to see it on the Order Paper.
Following is the information:
A licence is still required to deal in most foodstuffs, to retail coal or paraffin,
| Category | Total applications received | Total applications granted | Applications from ex-Serviceman | ||||
| granted | rejected | ||||||
| (a) | Food Retailers | … | … | 28,535 | 17,375 | 3,450 | 73 |
| (a) | Caterers: Cafes, Restaurants, etc. | … | … | 21,549 | 14,488 | 490 | 13 |
| (a) | Hotels, etc. | … | … | 9,352 | 8,226 | 200 | 4 |
| (a) | Fish Friers | … | … | 2,083 | 963 | 117 | 18 |
| (b) | Paraffin retailers | … | … | 1,126 | 1,126 | 558 | Nil |
| (c) | Footwear repairers | … | … | 7,021 (e) | 4,687 | 1,841 | 844 |
| (d) | Building and Civil Engineering Contractors | … | … | 46,624 | 46,624 | Not available |
| NOTES. | |
| (a) for 12 months ending 15.1.47. | (b) for 12 months ending 30.4.47. |
| (c) for 12 months ending 31.3.47. | (d) for 12 months ending 30.4.47. |
| (e) applications received in respect of new businesses, change of ownership and change of address. |