§ Mr. CartwrightTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list those organisations which his Department is consulting about the reform of the Shops Act 1950; and when he expects these consultations to be concluded.
§ Mrs. RumboldTo assist in the possible development of acceptable proposals for the reform of the law on Sunday trading, I have held or plan to hold separate discussions with representatives of the following organisations
The Shopping Hours Reform Council; Sort Out Sunday; OPEN (Outlets Providing for Everyday Needs); the Keep Sunday Special Campaign; the Free Church Federal Council; the General Synod of the Church of England's Board for Social Responsibility; the Churches Main Committee; the Council of Churches for Britain and Ireland; the Lord's Day Observation Society; Churches Together in England; the Board of British Jews; the National Consumer Council; the Retail Consortium; the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers; the GMB; the Association of District Councils; the Institute of Safety and Public Protection; the National Federation of Meat Traders; and the British Tourist Authority and the English Tourist Board.I have also met representatives of the Horticultural Trades Association in relation to a proposed private Member's Bill on Sunday trading sponsored on their behalf.
I hope to be able to conclude this programme of separate discussions in the early autumn. I am keeping open the possibility of joint discussions thereafter.