§ Major Gatesasked the President of the Board of Trade why, in spite of the petition which has been sent to him and which was signed by 584 householders in Prestwich, representing 2,000 persons and stating that there are inadequate facilities in the district for boot repairs, he is unable to support the application for temporary release of 1871750 L.A.C. Downes, E., for the purpose of resuming his one-man business in the area in which the above petitioners were his former customers and for whom no adequate boot repair facilities have been provided during his absence in the Forces.
§ Mr. DaltonIn view of the present military situation, and the urgent need for more man-power for the Armed Forces, I cannot at present sponsor any proposals for release which are not imperatively necessary in the interests of the war effort. This cannot be said of the application to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers. Local inquiries show that the footwear repair service in the Prestwich area is reasonably satisfactory.