Mr. Gareth ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will amend the Sunday Trading Act 1994 to prevent shops with a relevant floor area of more than 280 square metres from trading on Easter Sunday by conducting their transactions in the open air. [46190]
§ Mr. George HowarthWe have no plans to do so. The Sunday Trading Act 1994 prohibits large shops from opening on Easter Sunday for the serving of retail customers. Interpretation of the law is a matter for the courts. I understand that a recent judgment by the High Court has upheld the conviction of a large store for trading from the external areas of its premises on Easter Sunday.
Mr. Gareth ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what meetings he has had, or plans to have, with owners of large retail outlets with a relevant floor area of more than 280 square metres who open on Easter Sunday. [46214]
§ Mr. George HowarthNone.