§ Mr. Grovesasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will consult with the licensed trade to obtain full details of staffs and premises which could be used as communal centres in time of emergency; and whether he will further consider the conversion of many of these premises into official feeding centres?
Major Lloyd GeorgeLocal authorities are already empowered under Statutory Rule and Order 1941, No. 298, to require persons carrying on the business of catering establishments to provide meals, as directed under the Order, to the general public in an emergency. Local authorities have particulars of all catering establishments in their respective areas, including those on licensed premises. With regard to day-to-day feeding facilities, the policy of my Noble Friend is that British Restaurants should not be established where existing catering facilities arc adequate in both capacity and price. It would not be in accordance with that policy to convert into British Restaurants establishments already meeting a demand from the public for meals.