HC Deb 23 November 1916 vol 87 c1637W
Captain BARNETT

asked what period of exemption from the operation of the Shops (Earlier Closing) Order it is proposed to grant in connection with the Christmas and New Year holidays?

Mr. SAMUEL

I am not in a position yet to add anything to the statement which I made on this subject in the House last week. The decision will be announced in good time.

Mr. S. BENN

asked the Home Secretary what steps he intends to take to prevent small shopkeepers from being ruined whose trade in the past has been supplying men and women workers of our country whose shopping has been done after their day's work was finished; and whether he will consider the advisability of making exceptions to the Early Closing Orders in towns when asked to do so by the local authorities?

Mr. SAMUEL

This question was discussed during the Debate on the Order in the House of Commons, and in consequence of the suggestions then made I extended the closing hour to eight o'clock. I have no reason to think that arrangements cannot be made for all necessary shopping to be done before that time or that serious inconvenience is being caused, but I am watching, and shall continue to watch carefully, the working of the Order. It would not be practicable to make exceptions to the Order as suggested in the last part of the question.