asked the Minister of National Service whether his Department refers applications for new businesses to a local committee: if so, how the local committee is appointed; whether the applicant is given an opportunity of being heard by the local committee before they make their report; and, it not, if he will consider the desirabiity of arranging for this?

Applications for licences to open new retail businesses are not referred to a local committee. Each applicant is required to give in writing full details affecting his application. In addition, a careful inquiry as to the particular local circumstances is made by representatives of the Ministry of National Service. It has not been considered necessary to establish local committees for the purpose suggested by my hon. Friend.

Has the applicant to give his nationality as veil in making application?

All the facts are taken into consideration.