§ 106. Captain BARNETTasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that, since the introduction of the Shops Earlier Closing Order, the daily takings of small confectioners in London and elsewhere have decreased by over 25 per cent.; whether the business so lost has been largely diverted to theatres, cinemas, and automatic machines; and whether, in view of the hardship inflicted upon thousands of small shopkeepers, he will now consider the propriety of exempting the confectionery trade from the operation of the Order?
Mr. SAMUELI do not think that I should be justified in exempting the sale of confectionery from the Order, particularly in view of the urgent necessity emphasised last night by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade of restricting as much as possible the consumption of sugar in this form.
§ Captain BARNETTWill the right hon. Gentleman take steps to inform himself as to the effect of the first fortnight's operation of his Order?
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEWhat is to become of these small shopkeepers, who are deprived of the whole of their means of livelihood by this Order?
Mr. SAMUELThey can conduct their sales up to eight o'clock in the evening every day in the week except Saturday, when they can sell up to nine o'clock.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in my own Constituency it is quite impossible for half the people to make their purchases from these shopkeepers before nine o'clock1?
§ Mr. WARDLEIs it not possible to make some arrangement in reference to the question of the sale of confectionery in theatres?
§ Mr. FLAVINWill the right hon. Gentleman use his influence with the landlords of those small houses, so as to secure for the tenants a reduction of the rent proportionate to the reduction of their business?