Squadron-Leader Robinsonasked the Home Secretary (1) whether he will take steps to legalise stage performances on a Sunday, whereby artistes give their services voluntarily so as to raise funds for services welfare and other causes' arising out of the prosecution of the war;
(2) whether he is aware that a proposed Sunday performance of the Sisters of the Grail presentation, "No Room," at the New Opera House, Blackpool, arranged on behalf of the Catholic Youth Movement, had to be postponed till another day owing to the application of the Lord's Day Observance Act; that a number of the girls taking part in this performance could not be released from their essential war work on a week-day; and whether he will take steps to prevent the banning of charity shows on Sundays, which raise large sums of money for services welfare and other charitable causes?
§ Mr. H. MorrisonI am aware of the incident at Blackpool to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers. On the general question of Sunday performances I would refer him to my reply of the 3rd December to the hon. Member for Keighley (Mr. Ivor Thomas) which related to charitable performances as well as those given for profit. As I then indicated, I am not prepared to re-open the question without some clearer indication than I have at present that the House wishes to reconsider the decision it reached a year ago.