§ 2.43 p.m.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the approximate cost of holding the poll necessary to the making of an order under the Sunday Entertainments Act, 1932.]
§ THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (LORD MANCROFT)My Lords, local authorities 1064 are not required to make returns of the expenditure incurred in the conduct of these Sunday Entertainments Act polls, which is defrayed by the council out of the general rate and no doubt varies considerably according to the circumstances. Special inquiries have been made which suggest that, in a town of about 50,000 population, the cost is of the order of £300 to £400.
LORD SALTOUNMy Lords, I am much obliged to the noble Lord for his Answer and the trouble he has taken to obtain it. May I ask him further whether he does not think this expenditure rather high?
§ LORD MANCROFTMy Lords, it is perfectly true that when these Orders under the Sunday Entertainments Act come before your Lordships, as they do from time to time, they occasion little excitement. But my inquiries show that in the towns where these polls are held, the keenest interest is displayed, and there is active lobbying on both sides, those who are in favour of the cinemas being open on a Sunday, and those who are rigorously opposed to the opening of Sunday cinemas. I think this interest shows that it is necessary that these polls should continue in the way laid down by law, and I think that the expenditure upon them must therefore be considered necessary.
§ LORD LUCAS OF CHILWORTHMy Lords, arising out of that Answer, can the noble Lord inform your Lordships' House as to the percentage of affirmative polls and the percentage of negative polls that have resulted during the last measurable period; whether the populace are in favour or not in favour of Sunday entertainments?
§ LORD MANCROFTMy Lords, I am afraid that I could not possibly answer that question without notice, but my impression is that, since I have had the honour of answering for the Home Office in your Lordships' House, I have not yet heard of a Sunday Entertainments Act poll which has not resulted in an affirmative answer. I will, however, inquire and find out more exact figures for the noble Lord if he so wishes.
§ LORD LUCAS OF CHILWORTHMy Lords, if what the noble Lord has said is true—and I would not doubt his figures 1065 for one moment—does it not give point to the noble Lord's original Question: Is it really worth spending £300 per poll to find out something which Her Majesty's Government should know already?
§ LORD MANCROFTMy Lords, it is not for me to decide whether a minority in any town should be crushed automatically without having the opportunity, given to them by Statute, of expressing their opinion. That minority opinion has nearly always been vehement and wholehearted. I should not like to stand at this Dispatch Box and rule out the chance of that minority opinion who are not in favour of Sunday opening of cinemas to express their opinions as vigorously as the law allows.
§ LORD MATHERSIs that not a wonderful illustration of the saying that minorities are always right?