HC Deb 22 May 1912 vol 38 c2053W
Captain JESSEL

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the complaints of those chemists who, keeping a single assistant, are permitted to sell medicines which are urgently required, but are prevented from selling anything else under the Shop Hours Act; whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that if a chemist keeping a single assistant goes away on a holiday for a fortnight he is bound to give his assistant two half-holidays, and is thereby compelled to employ another assistant, who may not be acquainted with the requirements of the business; and whether he could see his way to introduce legislation for the purpose of amending the Shop Hours Act?

Mr. McKENNA

I cannot trace any complaints on this point; and. as at present advised, I do not think any case is made out for amending the provisions of the Act.