HC Deb 10 June 1947 vol 438 cc98-9W
Mr. Byers

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power (1) the reason for retaining licences for the retail of paraffin, in view of the fact that no application for such a licence has been rejected in the last 12 months;

(2) the number of people employed in considering applications for licences for the retail of paraffin, all of which have been granted for the past 12 months.

Mr. Shinwell

The licensing system was introduced to ensure that the paraffin requirements of priority consumers were met, but the question of substituting a simpler system to achieve the same objective, so long as supplies of paraffin oil have to be restricted, is under consideration. Two people are engaged on the work which forms only part of their duties.