§ Mr. Oliverasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that shopkeepers on the Liverpool Corporation estates are not permitted to open their shops on Sundays by reason of the Liverpool Corporation continuing a clause in the tenancy agreements which prohibits such opening although many of the shopkeepers trade in newspapers, tobacco, and confectionery, sales which are permitted under the Sunday Trading Act, 1937; and as this restriction was imposed in the agreements before the passing of the Act, will he take steps to induce the Liverpool Corporation to remove this clause so that the shopkeepers and the ratepayers in the areas may have the benefit conferred by this Act?
§ Mr. ElliotI understand that the position is, in general, as stated in the question, and that since the passing of the Shops (Sunday Trading Restriction) Act, 1936, the corporation have considered the matter further but have decided to maintain their policy. The management of their housing estates is expressly left by Statute to the discretion of the local authority, and I have, therefore, no power to intervene.