Mr. De la Bèreasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, in connection with the new issue of tea permits, he will consider amending the Order so as to permit of retailers, whose sales for eight weeks ending 6th February have been less than 25 lbs., being eligible for the issue of the new tea permits?
§ Mr. MabaneNo, Sir, but as in the case of rationed foods for which registration is necessary, my Noble Friend is anxious to avoid inflicting hardship upon any retailer of tea or occasioning inconvenience to consumers and to this end instructions have been issued to Food Control Committees that before withholding permits they should satisfy themselves that the public will not be inconvenienced and that there will be no hardship to the individual retailer.