asked the Minister for Energy, in view of the importance of shoe repairers to the welfare of the community and in view of the lighting concessions he has given to hairdressers, if he will now respond favourably to the letter of 18th December 1973 on behalf of the 3,000 independent shoe repairers who are members of St. Crispin's Boot Trades Association of Desborough, Northants.

The concession to hairdressers was given because many cannot function effectively without electricity for heating water and hair drying and for reasons of hygiene and not solely because of their service to the public. The same considerations do not arise in the case of shoe repairers and I regret that I cannot extend to them a similar concession