§ 56. Brigadier Lowasked the Minister of Food for what reasons he is planning to allot to boarding house and private hotel owners in some parts of England, during the holiday season, basic permits for rationed food, insufficient for the full number of persons covered by the catering licences concerned, especially when the boarding houses and private hotel owners have, to the knowledge of the local food offices, received bookings for the total number on their catering licences; and whether he will at once instruct local food offices to issue full permits and abandon the present wasteful practice which requires so many supplementary applications and supplementary permits.
§ Dr. SummerskillCatering establishments in seaside resorts are granted permits to cover expected fluctuations in consumer needs based on the best estimates available.
§ Brigadier LowDoes not the hon. Lady agree that the best estimate of the requirements is likely to be the actual bookings made, and if they have been made surely she can issue full permits? That is the point of the Question.
§ Dr. SummerskillCertainly, and Blackpool is being given an allowance on the actual bookings made.
§ Mr. DribergWill the hon. Lady consider withdrawing all permits and licences altogether from hotels, such as the Burlington at Margate, which attempt to discriminate against prospective customers on racial grounds?
§ Brigadier MackesonMay I ask the hon. Lady not to discriminate against any particular hotel, since if she does she may well prevent the Foreign Secretary completing his holiday in my constituency. where he is welcome?
§ Dr. SummerskillI have replied as to the situation in Blackpool, but I should require notice concerning Margate.
§ Mr. DribergThe question was not about Blackpool, but about "some parts of England."