§ Mr. KINGasked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that many men, who, having one-man businesses in our trading centres, are now approaching the end of their periods of exemption, find that they can only obtain offers for their businesses from neutral firms; whether he will issue instructions that where one-man businesses, if closed, will pass into alien hands further periods of exemption will be given; and whether he has other means of preserving to British subjects the, trade of the country?
§ Mr. LONGI am aware that in some cases it has been alleged that if a man is taken for military service his trade will be captured by an alien competitor. It is for the tribunal to deal with each application for exemption on its merits. Further instructions on the matter are not at present contemplated.