§ 57. Sir JOHN RANDLESasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that the operation of the Shops Act is causing such in convenience and loss to retail traders as to make desirable an inquiry by a Depart mental Committee or otherwise as to its improvement, especially in reference to choice of days for closing; and will he receive a deputation on this subject?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. McKenna)No, Sir, I have no reason to think that the Act is causing any general inconvenience or loss to retail traders. Here and there there may be cases where traders find some initial difficulty in adjusting their arrangements to the new conditions; but the general testimony is that the Act is beneficial and is working well. I am not clear in what respect it is suggested that the Act needs amendment as regards the choice of days for closing. If the hon. Member will communicate with me further, indicating the point which he had in mind, I will consider whether a deputation would be likely to prove of advantage.
§ Sir J. RANDLESHas the right hon. Gentleman considered that certain areas are urban areas and other areas are suburban, and that it is quite possible that the arrangements which would suit one might not be convenient for the other, and would it not be desirable to make an inquiry, not with a view to evading the half-holiday, or anything of that kind, or of altering the number of hours per week, but with a view to adjusting and making elastic the working of the Act?
§ Mr. McKENNAAs I suggested in my answer, the hon. Gentleman might communicate with me further; I did not mean by putting a question. It is quite impossible for me to reply to these questions just now.