§ Mr. FERENSasked the Home Secretary whether societies of artists holding annual exhibitions at which works of art may be purchased by the public are required under the last Section of the Second Schedule to the Shops Act, 1912, to apply to the local authority for a certificate that they are entitled to exemption?
§ Mr. McKENNATo obtain exemption from the requirement of a weekly half-holiday a certificate under the Schedule is required if retail trade is being carried on. The question whether in such cases the society would be regarded as carrying on retail trade would depend, I think, to some extent on the circumstances of the particular case; but if a society holds an exhibition of works of art which are for sale, and whether by commission or otherwise, makes a profit in connection with the sales, the case would appear to be one falling within the Schedule.