§ 62. Mr. GEORGE ROBERTSasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that the Shops Act is not being observed in many leading London hotels; and, seeing that such non-observance is due to the failure of the London County Council and the borough councils to decide who is to be the administering authority, whether he proposes taking any action in the matter?
§ Mr. McKENNAI have not received any complaints that the Act is not being 1314 observed in London hotels, but the matter is one for the local authority, which is charged with the administration of the Act, and I have no power to intervene. I understand that the question of delegation under the Act to the Metropolitan borough councils is to be discussed this week at a conference between the county council and the borough councils; but, unless and until its powers are delegated in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 (2), the responsibility for the enforcement of the Act rests with the county council.