§ 75. Mr. BOYTONasked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the loss of Christmas trade which small traders, who have, elected to fix Wednesday as their weekly closing day, will incur by having to close on Wednesday, 18th December, he will issue an Order for exemption on that date on condition that the assistants are not deprived of their half-holiday?
§ Mr. McKENNAI have no power to issue any such Order as is suggested, but I would refer the hon. Member to the answers which I gave on this subject on 23rd October and 7th November, explaining how the difficulty referred to can be met. I may add that, for the information of all concerned, I have communicated to the Press and to the various trade papers a copy of a letter which I recently addressed to the Early Closing Association dealing fully with the matter.