§ Viscount DALRYMPLEasked the Secretary for Scotland whether he has received a petition signed by the majority of the farmers of the Rhins of Wigtownshire with regard to the interference with harvest operations caused by the provisions of the Shops Act; and whether he can see his way to take any steps to remedy the matter?
Mr. McKINNON WOODI have received the petition referred to and I am considering it. I would, however, remind the Noble Lord of the provisions of Subsection (4) of Section 4 of the Shops Act, 1912, which enable the occupiers of any particular class of shops to obtain from the local authority an order exempting from the necessity of closing their shops for one half-day a week provided a majority so desire.
§ Viscount WOLMERasked the Home Secretary whether, under the Shops Act, 1912, village clubs are required to grant their caretakers a half-holiday every week; and, if so, whether regulations dealing with the matter have been issued?
§ Mr. McKENNAI cannot undertake to express an opinion as to the application of the Act in particular cases, but I am advised that a club in which goods pur- 977W chased on behalf of the members are supplied to the members is not a shop within the meaning of the Act, and a person employed in such a club would not be entitled to claim a weekly half-holiday under the Act. I have no power to make regulations dealing with the matter.