§ 34. Mr. BARNESasked the Secretary for Scotland if he can so alter the terms of the Scottish Office Memorandum on the Shops Act, and especially the note on page 5, so as to enable fishmongers who have fixed upon Monday for the weekly holiday to sell dried fish on the Tuesday, when Tuesday is fixed by grocers for the holiday?
Mr. McKINNON WOODI do not think that the terms of the note referred to lead to the conclusion implied in my hon. Friend's question. The Memorandum is explanatory only, and opinions therein expressed as to the scope and meaning of provisions in the Act have, of course, no legislative effect. Consequently, no alteration in the terms of the Memorandum would vary the law, which must depend upon the words of the Statute, interpreted as they may be from time to time in the Courts of Law.
§ Mr. BARNESIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this note has been interpreted locally in a different way?