§ Mr. BYRNEasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he has received proposals for early closing of shops from the Dublin and Provincial Retail Newsagents' and Stationers' Association; and if he will say what the Government's intentions on this subject are?
§ Mr. DUKEShops for the sale of newspapers are exempt from the provisions of the Shops Act, 1912, as regards early closing Orders, and shops for the sale of newspapers and periodicals are exempt from the operation of the Act as regards weekly half-holidays. A weekly half-holiday may be established if the local authority is satisfied that the occupiers of two-thirds of the shops of that class approve the proposal.