HC Deb 29 July 1937 vol 326 cc3284-6
9. Mr. Kennedy

asked the Minister of Labour the average number of workers employed in the jute industry in England and Scotland, respectively, during the years 1934, 1935, and 1936?

Mr. E. Brown

As the reply includes a table of figures, I will, if I may, circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the statement:

Sir S. Hoare

I have told the hon. Member that the local authority is the body that administers these Acts. If he has any specific point, I will certainly draw the attention of the borough council to it.

19. Mr. Leslie

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the Chester City Council has repeatedly made orders under Section 6 of the Shops Act, 1928, for the extension of opening hours of shops during periodical illuminations; whether the Home Office is satisfied that a majority of traders applied for these orders; and is he aware that the council admits that they have not sufficient staff to see how many traders take advantage of these orders and cannot say if the assistants affected receive holidays and wages under Sub-section (3) of Section 6 of the Shops Act, 1928?

Sir S. Hoare

I would point out to the hon. Member that the responsibility for making the orders to which he refers rests with the Chester City Council, and the orders are not subject to my approval. I have, however, made inquiry and understand that such orders have been made on a number of occasions, and that the council were satisfied that there was the necessary majority of traders in favour of the orders. As regards the last part of the question, I would point out that, if assistants do not receive the holidays and wages to which they are entitled, Parliament has provided a remedy in the Subsection mentioned.

Mr. Leslie

In view of the fact that the Council has declared that it has not sufficient staff to see that these orders are carried out properly, can the Home Office intervene in any way?

Sir S. Hoare

I am under the impression that the Home Office cannot intervene, but I will draw the attention of the council to the matter.

Mr. Jagger

Is Chester a holiday resort entitled to do this, and what constitutes a holiday resort?

Sir S. Hoare

I made the same inquiry myself, and I found that it was not clearly defined in the Act as to which districts can call themselves holiday resorts.

Mr. Short

Will the right hon. Baronet consult with the Minister of Health on the matter? There is great dissatisfaction regarding the administration.

Sir S. Hoare

That is a wider question. If the hon. Gentleman puts it down, I will consider it.

39. Mr. H. Haslam

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the many difficulties and hardships which have arisen in seaside resorts owing to the operation of the Shops (Sunday Trading Restriction) Act, 1936, and the inconvenience experienced by Sunday visitors, mostly working-class people who are using the only day available to them for a visit to the seaside; and whether, in view of the serious nature of the hardship which seaside traders are suffering, he will inquire into the anomalies which exist under this Act with a view to introducing remedial measures?

Sir S. Hoare

I do not think that sufficient experience has vet been gained of the operation of the Act to justify the suggestions in my hon. Friend's question. It is true that certain complaints have been received in the Department, but these have related mainly to the operation of the provisions in the Act relating to compensatory holidays for assistants employed on Sunday. My hon. Friend will recall that the House recently refused permission for the introduction of a Bill to modify the application of these provisions in the case of holiday resorts. So far as the convenience of visitors is concerned, I would point out that provision is made in the Act to allow the sale on Sunday of a large number of commodities in order to meet the reasonable needs of, the general public; and that in addition local authorities in holiday resorts are empowered to permit the sale on Sunday of various other articles which are commonly required by holiday makers.

Mr. Haslam

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware. that seaside places catering for large numbers of the working classes find in practice that they require a great number of articles which are not permitted to be sold on Sunday?

Sir S. Hoare

I am informed that exemptions were made after full consultation with the local bodies of the holiday resorts.

Mr. A. V. Alexander

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is strong opinion in some of these places that the exemptions go too far?