§ Sir L. Lyleasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the difficulties encountered by many day workers in obtaining rationed food and other commodities from shops which now close at an early hour; and whether he will cause the retail trade to extend their hours of opening now that the blackout does not take place till 7 p.m.?
Mr. MorrisonThe information which I have does not suggest that the difficulties to which my hon. Friend refers are widespread, but in any case the earlier closing hours fixed for the winter months by Defence Regulation came to an end on 2nd March, and shopkeepers are now at liberty to fix their closing hours within the limits imposed by the Shops (Hours of Closing) Act, 1928.