§ 14. Mr. RHYS DAVIESasked the Home Secretary whether he will publish, for the information of this House, copies of the correspondence which has transpired between his Department and the Birmingham authorities with reference to the recent decision that cinemas should be allowed to open on Sundays within the Birmingham city area?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI presume that the hon. Member refers to the correspondence which has passed between the Home Office and the Birmingham Justices on the question of voluntary labour in connection with the opening of the Birmingham cinemas on one particular Sunday, namely, the "Cinema Hospital Sunday," which took place on the 16th October last. It would be contrary to practice to publish correspondence of this kind; but in any event, my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State has already made a very full statement about this matter in reply to a question on Monday last by the hon. Member for East Leicester (Mr. Lyons).
§ Mr. HANNONIs it not the case that the men employed on this Sunday gave their labour voluntarily, and in a good cause?
§ Mr. DAVIESIs it not the case that the employés engaged in the cinemas which opened on this particular Sunday in Birmingham are not satisfied with the interpretation given by the Home Office?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI have no information as to that. In reply to the hon. Member for Moseley (Mr. Hannon), I understand that the position was as he has stated it.