§ Sir Smedlcy Crookeasked the President of the Board of Trade what is the Government's policy on the principle on which regional committees, acting under the Location of Retail Businesses Order, should deal with applications for opening shops received from disabled ex-service men as, at present, the committees' reports are not sufficiently detailed to enable them to form an adequate opinion as to the consumer need test?
§ Captain WaterhouseAs my hon. Friend is aware, licences under the Location of Retail Businesses Order to open shops are ordinarily granted only when it is clear that the proposed shop is required to meet the essential needs of the public in the area concerned. Local price regulation committees have been instructed to waive this test in the case of invalided ex-service men who wish to return to their former businesses. While it would not be justifiable to disregard the test of consumer need, local licensing committees have also been asked to give special consideration to other discharged and disabled ex-service men in cases where it can be shown that suitable wage-earning employment is not available.