§ 80. Major Legge-Bourkeasked the President of the Board of Trade under what authority his Department discriminates between persons desirous of purchasing willow rods and sticks; what is the definition of a willow merchant that must obtain for the discrimination to be favourable to the applicant; and where this definition is laid down.
§ Mr. BottomleyUnder the Control of Willow Rods and Willow Sticks Order (S.I. 1948 No. 461) the Board of Trade has discretion to issue licences authorising persons to acquire willow rods or sticks from growers. In the exercise of this discretion, such licences are issued only to established willow merchants whose business reached a certain level in 1946. This qualification is made clear to all who apply for merchants' licences.