§ Captain Pluggeasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether his attention has been called to the action of specialised traders in endeavouring to add to their normal sale of articles the trading in other commodities not in any way connected with their existing activities; what action he has taken or what advice he has tendered to the food executive officers on this innovation in trading; and whether, in any action he does take or advice he may tender, he will consider sympathetically the position of the small trader.
Major Lloyd GeorgeThe Food Control Committees (Local Distribution) Order, 1939, provides that except under the authority of the Minister no person shall sell by retail any food specified in the Schedule to the Order at or in connection with any premises or business within the area of a Food Control Committee except under and in accordance with the terms of a licence granted by such committee. Food Control Committees have been instructed that applications for new 669W licences should be determined with particular regard to the convenience of the public. Applications in respect of new or extended businesses succeed only in exceptional circumstances but in considering such applications Food Control Committees do not discriminate against any type of trader and my Noble Friend would not feel justified in instructing them to do so. The interests of the small trader in all matters connected with retail distribution always receive sympathetic consideration.