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New Businesses (Licences)

Volume 437: debated on Tuesday 20 May 1947

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46.

asked the Prime Minister in respect of how many and what kinds of, new businesses it is first necessary to obtain a licence from a Government Department, and which; how many applications for such licences have been received in the last 12 months and in respect of what categories; how many were granted; and, of the total number, how many were from ex-Servicemen and were refused.

As the answer involves a number of figures I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that unless an ex-Serviceman is disabled, it is almost impossible for him to start up in business on his own account, and is it not now time, two years after the end of he war, that the whole of this question should be reexamined?

That is another question, and I would like to see it on the Order Paper.

Following is the information:

A licence is still required to deal in most foodstuffs, to retail coal or paraffin,

CategoryTotal applications receivedTotal applications grantedApplications from ex-Serviceman
grantedrejected
(a)Food Retailers28,53517,3753,45073
(a)Caterers: Cafes, Restaurants, etc.21,54914,48849013
(a)Hotels, etc.9,3528,2262004
(a)Fish Friers2,08396311718
(b)Paraffin retailers1,1261,126558Nil
(c)Footwear repairers7,021 (e)4,6871,841844
(d)Building and Civil Engineering Contractors46,62446,624Not available

NOTES.
(a) for 12 months ending 15.1.47.(b) for 12 months ending 30.4.47.
(c) for 12 months ending 31.3.47.(d) for 12 months ending 30.4.47.
(e) applications received in respect of new businesses, change of ownership and change of address.