HC Deb 12 July 1948 vol 453 c818
3. Mr. Wyatt

asked the Minister of Food how many fish and chip shops there are in Burton-on-Trent and Birmingham, respectively; and how many people are served by each fish shop as a proportion of the total population in each town, respectively.

Dr. Summerskill

There are 36 fried fish and chip shops in Burton-on-Trent and 460 in Birmingham. The number of people served by each friend fish shop is 1,366 and 2,387 for Burton-on-Trent and Birmingham, respectively.

Mr. Wyatt

In view of the fact that Birmingham is grossly under-served by fish and chip shops compared with Burton-on-Trent, would my hon. Friend explain why she consistently refuses applications for licences to open new fish and chip shops in Birmingham where they are so grossly "under-fish-and-chip-shopped"?

Dr. Summerskill

I would like my hon. Friend to know that during the last five years 74 licences for fish and chip shops have been given for Birmingham against one for Burton-on-Trent.

Mr. Walter Fletcher

Will the hon. Lady remember that the need for opening more fish and chip shops in areas where more houses are being built is very prevalent in Lancashire, and will she be a little more generous in those areas?