§ Mr. N. MACLEANasked the Secretary for Scotland whether he has received any protest against the prohibition on the sale of mineral waters in fish restaurants after eight o'clock in the evening; whether such a prohibition is in force; and, if so, will he consider the advisability of cancelling it?
§ Mr. MUNROThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The Early Closing of Shops Order, under which shops are required generally to close at 8 p.m., exempts from that requirement the sale,inter alia, of meals or refreshments for consumption on the premises. For the purpose of this exemption, it is provided that refreshments shall not be deemed to include sweets, chocolate, or other sugar confectionery or ice cream, but I am not aware that mineral waters have been regarded as falling within any of these categories.