§ 52. Mr. Walker-Smithasked the Minister of Food why he has decided to grant a licence to the Co-operative Society to retail milk in Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire, in spite of the decision of the local 221W food control committee, unanimously arrived at, to refuse it.
§ Dr. SummerskillMy right hon. Friend recently decided that consumers should have a free choice of retailer. Where a choice does not exist an alternative retailer is being licensed, provided no building work or new equipment is necessary for the business. For this reason the Cambridge Co-operative Society was licensed in Sawbridgeworth, where there are many Co-operative members and at present no Co-operative retailer of milk. The decision of the food control committee to reject the application had been reached before it had been decided to give consumers a choice of retailer.