§ Mr. R. Gibsonasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what steps, in the matter of rationing of shops, he proposes to take to safeguard the position of small shopkeepers?
§ Mr. W. S. MorrisonWhen the scheme for the rationing of the consumer is introduced it will be necessary for everyone to register with the retail shops from which they intend to purchase rationed foods, and the supplies of rationed foods to the shops will be regulated in accordance with the number of customers registered with them. Supplies of commodities which are not rationed must be governed generally by the normal requirements of the shops as adjusted for any change in demand due, for instance, to a movement of population. There is no distinction between large and small shops in this or any other of the arrangements being made by my Department.