§ Mr. BENNETT-GOLDNEYasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if tobacconists apply for a closing order under the Shops Act to close their places of business on a certain half-day in each week, and if such an order is granted by the local authority, whether such order would make it illegal for hotel-keepers, publicans, and licensed restaurant-keepers to sell cigars, cigarettes, or tobacco for on-consumption during the hours affected by the closing order, or whether they 2054W would be prevented under the order from selling such necessities for off-consumption only; and, if the latter, what guarantees will be demanded that such cigars, cigarettes, or tobacco are purchased for on-consumption only?
§ Mr. McKENNAI would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on this subject last Thursday to the hon. Member for the Gorton Division of Lancashire. I cannot add anything to that answer except to say that I do not think that casual sales of cigars or cigarettes in hotels and restaurants for consumption on the premises, as for example, after a dinner or other meal, would amount to the carrying on of a retail trade or business so as to prevent such sales on the day of the half-holiday. The enforcement of a closing order would rest, not with me, but with the local authority.