§ Sir R. Gowerasked the President of the Board of Trade the number of cases in which licences to start new businesses have been refused by local authorities; and what, in the main, are the reasons for this decision?
§ Mr. DaltonI assume my hon. Friend refers to licences under the Location of Retail Businesses Order. The information available shows that during the six months ended 31st March, 1943, approximately 2,100 applications for licences were rejected, including applications for new businesses. Applications are in the main dealt with by the Local Price Regulation Committees, who ordinarily do not grant licences unless the applicant can establish that the proposed business is necessary for the essential needs of the public in the area.