HC Deb 22 June 1967 vol 748 c1931
13. Dr. Gray

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will seek to introduce modifications to the Shop Acts to permit more flexible hours of opening and closing during the holiday season.

Miss Bacon

There is already considerable scope under the Shops Act, 1950, for local authorities to vary the closing hours of shops in holiday resorts. My right hon. Friend is considering the possible need for further powers of variation as part of his general review of shop hours legislation.

Dr. Gray

While ensuring that the hours of shop workers are not prolonged, my right hon. Friend's statement will be welcomed because there is great demand for the consumer interest to be paramount in seaside resorts and on the Norfolk Broads so that shopkeepers can serve people who come to their shops if they wish to.

Miss Bacon

Under the Shops Act, 1950, a local authority in a holiday resort may make an order permitting the opening of shops specified in the order on not more than 18 Sundays in the year for the sale of certain goods.

Mr. Sharples

Is the right hon. Lady aware that it is now over two years since the Government produced their proposals for shops legislation in a White Paper? What further consideration is needed?

Miss Bacon

I am aware that it is a long time since the White Paper was published. The trouble has been that in all the discussions we have held and in all the submissions made to us there has been so much disagreement about what ought to be done among those concerned that we have not found any consensus.