§ 13. Mr. Marloweasked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that Mr. F. Simmonds of 27, Montefiore Road, Hove, invested his war service gratuity in the purchase of a business at that address registered by the local authority for the manufacture and sale of ice-cream; that the Ministry has now refused him a permit to acquire the necessary ingredients; and why the regulation made in 1940 relating to a cancellation of the allocation on a business changing hands cannot now be modified to meet such cases.
§ Mr. StracheyI understand that Mr. Simmonds has purchased a general business and sells newspapers, stationery, fancy goods, tobacco and sweets. He also runs a lending library. No rationed foods have been authorised to this business for ice-cream making since control was introduced in 1940, so the last part of the Question does not arise.
§ Mr. MarloweDoes the right hon. Gentleman recollect that he wrote to me about this case, stating the reasons why this transfer could not take place on account of a ruling in 1940? May I ask him, in view of the fact that these premises were originally registered for the sale of ice-cream, why that registration cannot be continued when an ex-Service man takes them over?
§ Mr. StracheyI do not think we can go back to before 1940 in this case.