Mr. HicksTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance he intends giving to local authorities in relation to prosecuting alleged contraventions of the Shops Act 1950, in the light of the recent referral of a case to the European Court of Justice alleging a breach of article 30.
§ Mr. RentonWe shall decide what action, if any, is necessary when the outcome of the case is known. There is no reason to suppose that local authorities are not aware of their current responsibility and powers under section 71 of the Shops Act 1950 to enforce its provisions.