§ Mr. Woodsasked the Home Secretary whether he will reconsider the Order providing for earlier closing of non-food shops in Birmingham during the winter, having in mind the fact that this Order applies 14 days earlier than the corresponding one relating to London and finishes 28 days later?
§ Mr. H. MorrisonDefence Regulation 60AC expressly provides that the provisions which apply to the central portion of London may be adapted and varied for provincial towns after steps have been taken by consultation with representative associations or otherwise to ascertain the views of the local authorities, the occupiers of shops and the shop assistants. This procedure has been followed in2154W Birmingham where transport difficulties make it essential to ease the congestion occurring at the peak hour of the evening traffic by arranging for shoppers and shop assistants to return home early. On the information before me I can find no grounds for thinking that the order is not appropriate to the local circumstances.