§ Mr. Frank Cook (Stockton, North)I thank you, Mr. Speaker, for giving me leave to present a petition from constituents of mine who are gravely distressed by detailed reports of the Government's proposals to withdraw the regulations relating to trading on Sundays.
This petition is not the result of the standard reflex reaction of the traditional Sabbatarian school of philosophy—not a bit of it. Rather is it based on a broad and genuine concern for the welfare of the community, the maintenance of accepted and agreed conditions of work and the protection of the family unit.
The petition was entrusted to me for presenatation by the Rev. Tony Bell of St. James's parish in Hardwick, the Rev. Richard Martin of St. John's parish in Grindon and St. James's parish in Thorpe Thewles and the Rev. Peter Hirst of St. Aidan's parish in Billingham. They express their opposiion to the provision for unlimited Sunday trading in the Shops Bill that is currently before Parliament, recognising that Sunday has special characteristics as a day of rest, recreation and worship for the benefit of our family and community life. They ask that
your honourable House do maintain legal limitations on Sunday trading to ensure that the special character of Sunday be protected.
§ To lie upon the Table.