HC Deb 02 February 1948 vol 446 cc239-40W
114. Mr. Erroll

asked the Minister of Food what regulations and Government restrictions at present bar new entrants to the chocolate and sweet manufacturing, distributing and retailing industries respectively.

Mr. Strachey

All persons in the chocolate and sweet trade who were obliged to stop trading because of the war are allowed to resume trading. New entrants to the manufacturing and wholesale sections are confined to disabled persons within the meaning of the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act, 1944, who are regarded as suitable for rehabilitation in the food trades after consultation with the Ministry of Labour. New entrants to the retail sections are approved only where there are insufficient shops to meet consumer demands. Preference is then given to disabled persons.