Sir LEICESTER HARMSWORTHasked the Food Controller if his attention 2026W has been drawn to the case of John Gunn, butcher, of Thurso, who volunteered for the War, which compelled the closing of his business, and that having been demobilised on account of wounds, he finds himself with hardly any registered customers or a claim upon the local food committee for more than the restricted amount of meat; and whether he will take immediate steps to provide that patriots of this kind shall not be penalised, but shall be encouraged by the restoration of at least full pre-war business opportunities and facilities?
Mr. ROBERTSI have ascertained that Mr. Gunn has 212 registered customers, and that a buying permit has been granted to him on the basis of 500 customers. Mr. Gunn should accordingly have no difficulty in obtaining an adequate supply of meat. Food Control Committees have been instructed to grant exceptional facilities to discharged soldiers who reopen their old businesses, and I am satisfied that the instructions have been liberally interpreted in this case.