§ 16. Sir J. D. REESasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action has been taken by the Government on the protests made by the grocers against the Shops Act?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. McKenna)No recent protests against the Shops Act have been received from the grocers' associations, but a resolution has been submitted by their federation urging "the Home Office to take immediate steps for the more active and uniform administration of the Shops Act throughout the United Kingdom." I have sent a reply pointing out that the enforcement of the Act rests, not with the Home Office, but with the local authorities, and that if a local authority is found to be remiss in enforcing the Act, the local association in the district should urge the matter on the local authority or on those members of the authority who are the representatives of members of the association.
§ Sir J. D. REESHas the right hon. Gentleman received any objection of late to this Act, and, if he has not, is he unaware of the great unpopularity of the Act?
§ Mr. McKENNANo, I have correctly stated the facts, that "no recent protests have been received from the Grocers' Associations." Other protests have no doubt been received.