§ 21. Sir E. Bullusasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his policy regarding the operation by shops of a five-day week; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Joint Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. George Thomas)It is for the individual shopkeeper to decide whether to operate a five-day trading week. Some difficulties in the way of doing so have been removed by the provisions of the Shops (Early Closing Days) Act 1965.
§ Sir E. BullusIn any future legislation, will the Home Secretary and his Department have regard to the small shopkeeper who might desire to give to the public a more adequate service than five days a week? Will the hon. Gentleman see that no restrictions are placed on this desire?
§ Mr. ThomasWhen the views of the trade on our booklet "Retail Trading Hours" are known we will, of course, take into consideration what the hon. and gallant Gentleman has just said.
§ Mr. ThorneycroftBut will the Under-Secretary make it absolutely plain that, subject to the proper control of working hours of individual shop workers, the longer shops keep open and the later shops keep open for the benefit of the customer, and the more they compete, the better?
§ Mr. ThomasIt is up to the shopkeeper to decide for how many hours he keeps open, as long as the assistants are protected.