§ Mr. Grovesasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the anxiety prevailing among traders outside the Metropolitan area of London because the London County Council has permitted Sunday trading under proposed orders of exemption from Sub-section (1) of Section 8 of the Shops (Sunday Trading Restriction) Act, 1936; that these permits have been made effective without consideration of the one month's period necessary for any notice of objections to be given; and whether he will call the attention of the London County Council to this matter and withhold confirmation from the orders of exemption?
§ Sir J. SimonI have made inquiry of the London County Council and I understand that on 23rd April the Council issued notices of their intention to make certain Orders under the Section to which the hon. Member refers. In accordance with the requirements of the Section, these notices specify a period of four 1267W weeks within which any objections to the proposed Orders may be addressed to the Council, but any further steps must, of course, await the expiration of this period, and the Council have no power to authorise Sunday trading until the Orders come into force. With regard to the last part of the question, the hon. Member will appreciate that consideration of the matter, so far as I am concerned, must await the submission of the Orders to me for confirmation.