§ 13. Sir THOMAS WATTSasked the Home Secretary if he is aware that there is dissatisfaction throughout the country over the exemptions allowed under the Shop Hours Act, 1928; and does he propose to take any action to allay this feeling?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI do not think that there is any such general dissatisfaction as my hon. Friend represents, and my own experience is that any dissatisfaction which does exist is very largely due to ignorance of the Act. If I might venture to make the suggestion, a great deal might be done by the hon. Members themselves to dispel this misunderstanding by explaining the position to their constituents, and I should be happy to give them any assistance I can in this direction.
§ Sir T. WATTSIs my right hon. Friend aware that the instances of anomalies are rapidly making us the laughing stock of the whole world?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSWith great respect for my hon. Friend, I do not agree with that for a single moment.
§ Sir F. MEYERIs it not a fact that any exemption granted under this Act is in response to clear evidence given before a committee that the exemption is wanted by a large number of people, and that an exemption is withdrawn only after evidence that it is not wanted?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThat is quite true, and, if my hon. Friend the Member for Withington (Sir T. Watts) wants an exemption to cease, the natural 1832 effect would be that many facilities now given to the public would be swept away altogether.