§ 50. Brigadier Medlicottasked the Minister of Food if he is aware that the village of Hales in the county of Norfolk has been urging the granting of a licence for the opening of a fried fish shop for ten months; and if, in view of the need for such a facility in this agricultural district and the widespread desire which has been expressed for the granting of such a licence, he will now reconsider his previous decision.
§ Dr. SummerskillOils and fats are still as scarce as they were ten months ago when the reasons for not granting a licence were fully explained to the hon. Member.
§ Brigadier MedlicottIs the hon. Lady aware that these shops in the country are often the only equivalent of the cafes and restaurant feeding houses which are available in the towns, and that the lack of these amenities is one of the factors which accelerates the drift into the towns? Could she not make the very slight concession needed to grant at least a limited number of licences in these cases?
§ Following is the reply:
§ The quantity of coarse grains and animal feedingstuffs imported into the United Kingdom during the year 1947 is as follows:
§ Dr. SummerskillPerhaps the hon. and gallant Member has forgotten that there are only 300 people in Hales, and that there are two fried fish shops a mile and a half away.