§ Lord Maude of Stratford-upon-Avonasked Her Majesty's Government:
When they intend to publish the report of the Committee of Inquiry into Proposals to Amend the Shops Acts; and whether they will make a Statement.
§ The Minister of State, Home Office (Lord Elton)My right honourable friend the Home Secretary is publishing the commitee's report today. As we said when we set up this committee last year, there is widespread agreement that the present law is unsatisfactory and in need of reform, and we are grateful to Mr. Robin Auld, the chairman, and his two committee members, Mrs. Liliana Archibald and Miss Frances Cairncross, for the depth and extent of their study. We welcome the report, which we will wish to consider carefully, in the light of reactions to it, before reaching any conclusions.