HC Deb 30 January 1931 vol 247 cc1318-20W
Dr. PETERS

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the state of the law in giving to local authorities the power to control sports and pastimes on Sundays, he will agree to refer the matter to a Select Committee to investigate and report upon the same with a view to amending the present law?

Mr. CLYNES

The hon. Member has been good enough to explain to me that his question refers to the Sunday Observance Act, 1625, which prohibits any meeting, assembly or concourse of people out of their own parishes on the Lord's Day for any sports or pastimes whatever, and has drawn my attention to the fact that this Act prohibits a Sunday cricket match between two parishes although it does not apparently render the playing of cricket on Sunday in itself illegal. I agree that this position is anomalous, but as the hon. Member is aware any general review of the Sunday Observance Acts must involve a number of questions which are acutely controversial, and I am not at present in a position to make any statement of policy. The matter is, however, receiving the earnest attention of the Government.

Dr. PETERS

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the protests recently made by ministers of religion and others regarding the formation of a dirt track for motor-cycle racing and riding adjacent to the main road from Cambridge to St. Neots, and which it is proposed shall be open for racing and riding on Sundays; and whether he will take steps to amend the existing law so that dirt-track racing and riding on Sundays shall not be carried on against the general consent of persons residing in the district or county in which the dirt track is located, and that on weekdays such shall only be carried on under a licence granted by the local authority, subject to such terms and conditions as shall be imposed to avoid a nuisance and annoyance to those residing in or near the locality?

Mr. CLYNES

I have received no protests with regard to this track. Having regard to the controversial issues which would be involved the Government is not able at present to undertake legislation on the matter referred to.