§ 18. Mr. Evelyn Walkdenasked the Secretary of State for War if he will cause a survey to be made of those provincial towns and cities which do not permit any public entertainment on Sundays and where large numbers of British and Allied troops are centred and, wherever necessary, will he utilise his requisitioning powers to ensure that theatre performances and cinema shows on Sundays are available exclusively for men and women of the Fighting Services.
Sir J. GriģģWhile sympathising with my hon. Friend's intention I regret that this use of requisitioning powers would be inappropriate.
§ Mr. WalkdenHas not such an experiment been tried for the past 18 months in Belfast, with success; has not the Lord's Day Observance Society said, quite definitely, that they will not oppose or discourage such a scheme; and will the right hon. Gentleman extend the Belfast experiment to Great Britain?
Sir J. GriģģI do not personally think that the extension of the Belfast experiment would be justifiable, in face of the view taken by this House in a contrary sense.
§ Mr. WalkdenIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are places where permission has been given for shows on Sunday, but where owing to difficulties of one kind or another, no entertainment is available for the troops? Will he not do something in the matter?