asked the Minister of Health how many of the shops on the two new municipal housing estates in Wolverhampton have been allotted to the Co-operative Society; whether he can give an assurance that this number is in proportion to the number of customers registered with the Co-operative Society in the neighbourhood; and whether applications from ex-Service men and private traders were considered on an equal footing at the time the decision was made.

The decision is by statute a matter for the local authority but I am making inquiries as to the facts and will communicate with the hon. Member.