§ Sir T. Mooreasked the Home Secretary why it was considered advisable to issue an order for some retail shops in Central London to close at 4 p.m. while others are permitted to remain open until 5.30 p.m., the only difference in category being the number of assistants employed?
§ Mr. H. MorrisonThe purpose of the Order to which my hon. Friend refers was to ease serious transport difficulties during the darkest period of the winter months. The Order which requires shops in areas in Central London to close at 4 p.m. is similar to the Order in force for a short period last year and affects exactly the same areas. Apart from certain shops in which exempted business is carried on, e.g., those for food and medicines, the only class of shops exempted from closing at 4 p.m. are those in which no more than two assistants are employed. To close these very small shops which by remaining open cause no real transport difficulty might make it more difficult for workers in the central area to do their necessary shopping.