§ 3. Mr. Montgomeryasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to be able to publish the report of the committee of inquiry into the proposals to amend the Shops Act.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. David Mellor)As soon as possible after my right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary has received it—which we expect to be in the early autumn.
§ Mr. MontgomeryDoes my hon. Friend agree that the present law has been brought into disrepute by random prosecutions on the part of local authorities? Should not the law be changed so that it is more in line with present shopping trends?
§ Mr. MellorAs I said in February last year, when the House unceremoniously turfed out a proposal to do just that, the present law is deeply anomalous and unsatisfactory.
§ Mr. LathamIs my hon. Friend aware that, while most of us agree with him about the present law, there are plenty of divided opinions about the best way to solve the problem? Is he further aware that if he brings forward firm proposals to the House some of us will expect them to be dealt with on a free vote?
§ Mr. MellorIt has been the opinion of successive Governments that that is what should be done. It is not for me to anticipate what the climate will be like once the report has been received. One reason that lay behind our decision to establish the report was to try to find more common ground than was apparent when we last debated the matter.
§ Mr. PavittWhen the report is received, will the hon. Gentleman give serious consideration to the problems that arise for employees who are on rates and conditions under the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers, compared with competition arising from places which are completely independent? Will he give serious consideration to the rights of workers in this respect?
§ Mr. MellorThe inquiry had the benefit of a number of assessors, including an assessor nominated by USDAW, who, I feel sure, brought that sort of point to bear on its deliberations.