§ Mr. HINDSasked the Home Secretary if he will take any steps to mitigate the evil of Sunday trading; and whether he is aware of the anxiety that exists amongst traders that as a result of the recent Closing Order the evil is likely to increase?
Mr. SAMUELI am aware that some apprehension exists that the new Order may lead to an increase in Sunday trading. I hope this will not be the case. As my predecessor stated in answer to a question in this House in April, 1913, the Government made an attempt in 1911 to deal with the question of Sunday closing on the lines recommended by the Joint Select Committee of 1906, but the proposals encountered considerable opposition, and no solution was found which was generally acceptable. I am aware of the strong feeling in favour of some measure of Sunday closing among a large section of the traders of the country, and I should be glad if a satisfactory solution could be found, but I am afraid there is no prospect of the Government being able to take the matter up again at present.