§ 11. Mr. Spearmanasked the Minister of Food if he will withdraw Circular G.3339 RP/N, issued by his Department's Northern Region, authorising buying permits for seasonal establishments for the period 13th August to 7th October, 1950, to be allocated on the basis of meals served from 11th September to 5th November, 1949, and instead base these permits on meals served during the equivalent period last year, in order to avoid waste of time by hotel staffs and food offices in applying for and allocating supplementary permits.
§ Mr. WebbI am afraid that this, at the moment, is not practicable, because the eight-week periods for which returns were made last year cannot, in the nature of things, coincide with this year's allocation periods; but I intend shortly to consider with the industry whether we can find a better method for the future.
§ Mr. SpearmanDoes the Minister realise that we are very near the season when the population in the seaside resorts is, perhaps, trebled, and that this will mean an enormous increase in work both for the food offices and the hotels at a time when they are particularly hard pressed? Can he take some immediate action?
§ Mr. WebbI am well aware of that The trouble is that I cannot divide 52 by 8; I should have to alter the whole system.