§ 6. Mr. Parkerasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will introduce legislation in the next Session of Parliament to revise the Sunday Observance and other Acts governing the use of Sunday.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerI am not yet in a position to make a statement.
§ Mr. ParkerWhen the right hon. Gentleman is considering the proposals to be incorporated in the Queen's Speech, will he consider this proposal? There is a wide measure of public support in the country in favour of modernising the law on this subject. Both the main political parties, including my right hon. Friend the Leader of the Opposition, said so during the last election.
§ Mr. ButlerYes. I think that there is a growing body of opinion that something should be done. I cannot help 1571 feeling that with all the susceptibilities involved there might be a case for an inquiry. At any rate, I will give the matter further consideration and in due course I may be able to say something about it.
§ Mr. FletcherDoes the right hon. Gentleman recall that a few years ago there was a very large vote in the House in favour of the appointment of a Royal Commission to overhaul the whole of the Sunday Observance laws?
§ Mr. ButlerYes. I am also aware that the Bill promoted by the hon. Member for Dagenham (Mr. Parker) was defeated by a very considerable majority. There was also a difficulty over a Private Member's Motion. Therefore, the position is fairly well balanced, but I think that a great deal of this law is out of date.