§ 55. Mr. Sorensenasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has considered the petition of the Whitefield Urban District Council, Lancashire, asking for the repeal of the Sunday Observance Act and supported by 196 local authorities; and what reply he has given to this petition.
§ Mr. PeakeMy right hon. Friend has considered the petition referred to but it does not affect the conclusion which he reached and which he stated in replying to my hon. Friend when he raised this matter on the Adjournment on 3rd February.
§ Mr. SorensenDoes not my right hon. Friend appreciate that the 196 local authorities represent the public opinion of their area; and, in those circumstances, could he, at least, recommend to his right hon. Friend that local option should be granted to those authorities?
§ Mr. PeakeThe number of authorities to which my hon. Friend refers is 196 out of a total of nearly 1,500 but what my right hon. Friend indicated he desired to see was a change not in local government opinion, but in Parliamentary opinion.
§ Mr. SorensenDoes the right hon. Gentleman realise that while his right 401 hon. Friend said that, he gave no indication of facilities for this Parliament to express its opinion on the matter?
§ Mr. Evelyn WalkdenCan I put a straight question to the right hon. Gentleman? Has he informed these local authorities that powers are already in the hands of the Army Council to provide Sunday entertainment of troops in theatres in this country, wherever the need exists? Cannot advice be given that they make use of the powers, where troop shows are needed on Sundays, and neither the Lord's Day Observance Society nor any other society can object?