§ 32. Mr. TOOLEasked the Home Secretary if he is yet in a position to inform 576 the House of the scope of the Bill which the Government propose to introduce to deal with the question of the Sunday opening of places of entertainment; and when he proposes to introduce the Bill?
§ Mr. CLYNESThe Bill, which I hope to introduce very shortly, will contain as its main provision a proposal to regularise the practice that existed before the recent decisions of the Courts. It will also deal with actions instituted to recover penalties for infringements of the existing law relating to Sunday observance. Decisions on questions of principle will be left to the free Vote of the House.
§ Mr. HOFFMANWill the rights of the employés be protected under this Bill?
§ Mr. CLYNESThe Bill will provide that no employé shall work more than six days a week.
§ Mr. TOOLEIs it not also a fact that the trade unions concerned have come to an arrangement with the employers in the matter?
§ Mr. CLYNESI understand that that is so, and, indeed, the trade unions were part of the deputation which I recently received on the subject.
§ Mr. HANNONBefore the right hon. Gentleman introduces this Bill, will he take into consideration the very strong volume of opinion in this country that the sanctity of Sunday ought to be observed?
§ Mr. CLYNESI have heard, I think, every side of opinion on this question, and we have had to take into account the very great public demand that there has been for some change in the law.
§ Mr. MUGGERIDGEIs it proposed to adopt the principle of local option, leaving the matter to the local authorities?
§ Mr. CLYNESThat was the practice as it existed prior to the judgment, and the purpose of the Bill is to restore to the local authorities the power to decide what they will do.
§ Mr. MUGGERIDGEAre we to have a free vote?
§ Mr. CLYNESYes, I said so.