§ Mr. David Amess (Basildon)I beg to ask leave to present a petition on behalf of my hon. Friend the Member for York (Mr. Gregory). My hon. Friend organised the petition together with ministers of all the York churches—Roman Catholic, Anglican and Non-Conformist. It has been supported by 3,263 of my hon. Friend's constituents, and gathered together over just three Sundays. After the Christmas recess, more petitions on behalf of my hon. Friend will be presented.
While accepting that there are certain restrictions regarding Sunday trading that should be clarified, the overwhelming view in York is that the essentials of life, such as urgent medical prescriptions and mobility through petrol sales, should continue, but that, basically, Sunday should be retained as a day of family life set apart from the rest of the week, and including worship. Together with my hon. Friend the Member for Welwyn Hatfield (Mr. Murphy), I support the sentiments of the petition.
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The petition reads:
To the Honourable the Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in Parliament assembled.
The humble petition of Mr. Conal Gregory MP and the citizens of York, sheweth that whilst acknowledging the need for the removal of the present anomalies in the Sunday Trading Laws, we urge that Sunday remain a day of worship, rest and relaxation for the benefit of family and community life.
Wherefore your Petitioners pray that your Honourable House reject the need for any other deregulation.
And your Petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray, etc.
To lie upon the Table.