§ Mr. Georgeasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied with the workings of the Sunday Observance Act 1780, particularly as they will relate to the granting of licences by magistrates for sale of intoxicating liquor and dancing on the coming Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.
§ Dr. Summerskill:In licensed premises for which an extended hours order or a special hours certificate is in force under the Licensing Act 1964, Section 88 of the Act permits dancing. as well as the sale of intoxicating licpor to continue until 2 a.m.—3 a.m. in parts of Central London—on Sunday mornings. Otherwise, the premises to which the public are admitted on payment, the Sunday Observance Act 1780 prohibits dancing alter midnight on Saturday. This prohibition does not. however, apply where the public are admitted without charge or where admission is restricted to members of a bona fide club.
The effect of these provisions on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve celebrations is something that Parliament will no doubt have in mind when considering any future legislation on the control of public entertainments. We have at present no plans to introduce such legislation.