HC Deb 16 November 1939 vol 353 cc803-6
19. Sir Richard Acland

asked the Home Secretary whether he has considered the special difficulties imposed on hairdressers by the early-closing orders, even when the local authorities allow the widest possible latitude; and will he contemplate a special exemption for hairdressers?

Sir J. Anderson

I will take the circumstances of the hairdressing trade into consideration when I review the recent Order-in-Council in the light of experience of its actual operation.

32. Colonel Baldwin-Webb

asked the Home Secretary whether he will state the responsible bodies who originally recommended the earlier closing of shops; on what grounds this step was taken; whether any organisations representing the smaller trader and the public were asked to express their opinion; and whether he is aware of the resentment felt by many local authorities that they are faced with official regulations which in no way suit their requirements?

Sir J. Anderson

Requests for the earlier closing of shops were made to me by all the principal trade bodies, and I will send my hon. and gallant Friend a list of them. Special inquiries were then made with a view to ascertaining whether, as a result of the lighting restrictions, little shopping was being done by the public in the late hours of the evening, especially in industrial quarters and there was consultation with a number of representative local authorities. There was also consultation on the question of appropriate hours with some of the principal trade organisations including one which claims to represent the small as well as the large shops. On the information available, as a result of all these inquiries and consultations, it appeared that an Order such as was made fixing earlier hours of closing and providing some elasticity for local variations would be welcomed by shopkeepers and would not cause inconvenience to the public. I have kept in close touch with many local authorities and no expression of resentment has reached me.

Colonel Baldwin-Webb

Can my right hon. Friend tell me the names of the local authorities consulted, and whether he is aware that in the Midlands and the North men who work long hours have no opportunity of doing their shopping, and that it is causing hardship and discontent?

Sir J. Anderson

I will send my hon. Friend the information which I have promised, including the names of the authorities I have consulted. It is the intention of the Government that the working of this Order should be reviewed in due course.

Colonel Baldwin-Webb

Has my right hon. Friend received a recommendation from Staffordshire, as I understand a special meeting of the county council is being called to consider the problem?

Sir J. Anderson

I am not sure.

33. Mr. Higgs

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that there is considerable dissatisfaction amongst the small shopkeepers who do not employ assistants with the Order enforcing closing at 6 or 7 p.m.; and whether he is prepared to consider extending the opening time to 8 p.m. as it was before the war?

Sir J. Anderson

I have received various representations on this subject including representations from a deputation of small shopkeepers introduced by my hon. Friend. I am making further inquiries with regard to the matters raised by these representations, and at the moment I can only say that in reviewing the position account will be taken of the interests of all those concerned, including the interests of the small shopkeepers.

Mr. Higgs

Is the Minister aware that munition workers, who in Birmingham are working until 7.30 and 8 o'clock, have no opportunity of doing their shopping during four or five days of the week?

Sir J. Anderson

That, obviously, is a consideration that ought to be taken into account.

Mr. Higgs

When will it be taken into-account?

Sir Joseph Lamb

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the difference between the rural areas and small towns and the larger centres, and that the black-out restrictions in the rural areas are not as essential as in the thickly-populated districts?

Mr. Higgs

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Order is not being observed, and when will he be able to take this matter into consideration?

Mr. Herbert Morrison

In making further Orders where local authorities have an option to modify, will the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to consider the desirability of giving them longer time during which they can consider their local situation?

Sir J. Anderson

I appreciate the force of that observation, and I made special inquiries before this Order was made to endeavour to satisfy myself that sufficient time would be allowed. It may be that I did not allow sufficient time.

Miss Wilkinson

Before any modification is made may we be assured that the trade unions, especially those representing shop assistants, will be consulted?

Sir J. Anderson

I will consider it necessary to consult all the interests that were consulted in the first instance.

Mr. Higgs

The question refers to shops without shop assistants.

37. Mr. Boulton

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the grievance held by the wine and spirit off-licence trade caused by the black-out regulations; and will he consider adjusting the existing hours so as to conform with the usual shop hours, namely, 9 a.m. until dusk for the duration of the war?

Sir J. Anderson

The existing law prohibits the sale or supply in any licensed premises of intoxicating liquor, to be consumed either on or off the premises, except during permitted hours. The suggestion made in this question is, I understand, that sales for consumption off the premises ought to be allowed outside the permitted hours. Any such change would require legislation, and I can hold out no hope of legislation on this subject at the present time.

Mr. Boulton

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this trade is being deprived of practically four trading hours a day owing to the black-out regulations, and does he not think that in fairness an adjustment is called for, and also that it would be for the convenience of the public?

Sir J. Anderson

As I have explained, it is not within my power.