HC Deb 07 July 1949 vol 466 c2322
18. Mr. John E. Haire

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will repeal, or modify, the Sunday Observance Act, 1780.

Mr. Ede

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave on 17th February last to my hon. Friend the Member for Dagenham (Mr. Parker).

Mr. Haire

In view of growing public uncertainty as to what Sunday entertainment is permitted, will not my right hon. Friend bring this somewhat obsolete Act up-to-date and take its application out of the hands of cranks, busybodies and cheap informers?

Mr. Ede

No, Sir. This matter would only create controversy, and at the present time there is no prospect of any legislation.

Mr. Quintin Hogg

In any event, is not the repeal or modification of an Act of Parliament a matter for Parliament and not the Home Secretary?

Lieut.-Commander Gurney Braithwaite

While this Statute may be outmoded in certain respects, is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is no support in any responsible quarter in this country for anything approaching the Continental Sunday?