HC Deb 25 November 1937 vol 329 cc1385-7
26. Mr. Groves

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that since the operation of the Sunday Trading Restriction Act, owing to the exemption areas created by the London County Council, Sunday trading has not been restricted, but only diverted to these exempted areas; and, as these circumstances virtually create monopoly areas, will he take the necessary steps to ensure the enforcement of the Act or introduce amending legislation?

The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Sir Samuel Hoare)

I am informed by the London County Council that the operation of the Act has, in fact, resulted in a material restriction of Sunday trading in London, and that, according to the information at their disposal, an increase of Sunday trading has been experienced in one only out of the eight street markets in respect of which Orders have been made by the Council under Section 8 of the Act. As regards the second part of the question, it is clear from the information supplied to me that the Act is being vigorously enforced by the London County Council. I am not aware of any ground for the introduction of amending legislation.

Mr. Groves

On a point of Order. With your permission, Mr. Speaker, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether by any circumstances of leakage the reply to this question has been given to any outsider before being given to me? Is the Home Secretary aware that to-night, from the British Broadcasting Corporation, this question is being replied to, and inasmuch as the speaker of the B.B.C. has had two rehearsals at the B.B.C., I assume that he was informed as to what reply I should get? Further, is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I communicated this information to his Department yesterday, and have had no reply?

Sir S. Hoare

I am sorry the hon. Member has had no reply to his question, but I can tell him that there is no foundation whatever for his suspicion. Neither the B.B.C. nor anybody else outside my own Department has seen the answer which I have given.

Mr. Groves

I thank the right hon. Gentleman.

27. Mr. Groves

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the street market in Petticoat Lane is the only obstacle to uniform Sunday closing for the whole of London, except for those in the exempted trades; and whether he will consider taking steps to hold this market on some other day, so that shopkeepers may enjoy the benefits of Sunday closing without the financial hardships now incurred through the granting of a monopoly of Sunday trading to a few selected market streets under the Sunday Trading Restriction Act, 1937?

Sir S. Hoare

No, Sir. The street market in Petticoat Lane is only one of eight street markets covered by Orders made by the London County Council under Section 8 of the Act. As regards the second part of the question, I would point out that the present situation, under which trading on Sunday up to 2 p.m. is permitted, by virtue of these Orders, in a limited number of street markets in the London area, appears to have been envisaged by Parliament when enacting the Section to which I have referred. As the hon. Member may recollect, this question was very fully discussed in this House in the debates on the Bill.

Mr. Groves

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that if the Home Office had not given its backing to the Bill when it was introduced, it would not have become an Act, and will he therefore take steps to ensure that such a recent Act as this is correctly applied, and inasmuch as his Department takes a good deal of notice of the 1853 Betting Act, will he ensure the application of this one?

Sir S. Hoare

I understand that this question is under very active discussion between the shopping organisations and the London County Council. A meeting is to take place during the next two or three days, and I would rather not express any opinion until that meeting has taken place.

Mr. James Hall

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the fact that these traders in Petticoat Lane lose seven trading hours a week as compared with other shopkeepers in all other parts of London, and does he not think that those people are being unfairly victimised, and that something should be done to make things more fair for them than at present?

Sir S. Hoare

I understand that is just the sort of question that is being discussed between the different parties. I could not express an opinion upon it here.