§ 45. Mr. M'MORDIEasked the Prime Minister if he is aware that the Belfast and North of Ireland Grocers' Association have recently made an appeal to the Government to amend the Shops Act in order that all grocers in Ireland, whether holding a spirit licence or not, may be put on an equal footing as regards the weekly half-holiday, and the injustice which the Act imposes upon the ordinary grocers removed, by giving the spirit grocer in virtue of his licence no greater privileges than those accorded to mixed shops; and if it is the intention of the Government to propose an Amendment of the Shops Act in response to this appeal?
§ The CHIEF SECRETARY for IRELAND (Mr. Birrell)I should be glad personally to see the grievance referred to in the question remedied, but I do not think that the time is opportune for an attempt to amend the existing law on the subject.