HC Deb 16 June 1938 vol 337 cc379-80
31. Captain Peter Macdonald

asked the Home Secretary whether any action can be taken before the forthcoming holiday season to assist the position of caterers and other traders in seaside resorts whose work is made unnecessarily difficult by the provisions of the Sunday Trading Restriction Act?

The Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd)

There is no power which my right hon. Friend can exercise under the Act. Any relaxations over and above those provided for in the Act would require amending legislation.

Captain Macdonald

Will the hon. Member give sympathetic consideration to a Bill, if one is introduced, to amend the existing regulations?

Mr. Lloyd

If there were general agreement among the various interests.

Mr. Rhys Davies

Is the hon. Member aware that all the points which are being raised in connection with this Act of Parliament were fully debated when the measure was considered in Committee?

Sir John Haslam

Is not the hon. Member aware that there are 1,500,000 unemployed, and that extra assistants can easily be obtained?