15. Mr. GOODMAN ROBERTSasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that inconvenience attends the prohibition of the sale of chocolates and cigarettes after the hour of 8 p.m.; and whether the Government will shortly take steps to remove these war-time restrictions?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSMy hon. Friend is under a misapprehension in regard to chocolates. Their sale is permitted up to 9.30 p.m. on ordinary days and 10 p.m. on Saturdays. It is no doubt the case that some inconvenience is caused by the closing of the tobacco shops at 8 o'clock, though we do not receive many complaints on the subject at the Home Office. But the continuance of this wartime restriction was desired, and as far as I know is still desired, by an overwhelming majority of retail tobacconists. The Government will have to review the whole question in all its bearings before they can undertake to bring forward fresh legislation.