Retail Shops (Restrictions)

HC Deb 24 July 1950 vol 478 cc5-6

9. Mr. Black

asked the Minister of Food whether he will now remove the remaining restrictions on the opening of retail food shops.

13. Mr. Carr

asked the Minister of Food how soon he hopes to be able to relax the present restrictions on the granting of new licences for the sale of confectionery.

Mr. Webb

I do not think that I can remove these restrictions at present but, as I have already said, they will be relaxed as soon as conditions permit.

Mr. Black

Does not the right hon. Gentleman consider that if he is anxious to bring down prices, as I am sure that he is, to increase the area of competition is the surest possible way of doing that?

Mr. Webb

So far as that is possible, I am all in favour of it, but in so far as we have to meet rations we must adhere to the licensing of retail confectioners and other suppliers of commodities.

Mr. Braine

As certain catering licences are now being given without reference to local food committees, as to whether or not local consumer need exists, what justification is there for continuing the rationing of food?

Mr. Webb

The position was changed in the matter of catering licences, because we took off the restriction on the 5s. limit. That altered the whole position. There are still restrictions on other commodities, and it is still necessary to retain licences.

Mr. Carr

Can the right hon. Gentleman assure us that his refusal to relax restrictions is due entirely to shortage of sugar and not due to the views of the Government on the structure of retail trade?

Mr. Webb

I think I can give that assurance.

Air Commodore Harvey

Is the Minister aware that his predecessor usually ignored the advice of local food officers, and will he bear in mind that note ought to be taken of their advice? Perhaps he will act on it.

Lieut.-Colonel Sir Thomas Moore

Why not, in any case, allow these experiments, because if they succeed it will show that there is consumer need, whereas if they fail it will leave no hard feelings on the part of the applicants?

Mr. Webb

I am prepared to allow as many experiments as I feel, on balance, are likely to succeed, but I should not be prepared to allow one which I thought would prove unsuccessful.