Oral Answers to Questions — Shops (Hours)

– in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 6 July 1944.

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Photo of Mr Robert Morrison Mr Robert Morrison , Tottenham North 12:00, 6 July 1944

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will hold an inquiry into the need for amending the Shops Act, 1928, to consider whether pre-war hours for shops were unnecessarily long.

Photo of Sir Patrick Hannon Sir Patrick Hannon , Birmingham Moseley

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is now in a position to make a statement on the appeal submitted to him by the Early Closing Association in January last, in which it was urged that the latest closing hour of shops should be seven, instead of eight during the week, and eight, instead of nine on the late night; and if he will consider the desirability of providing facilities to obtain closing orders by local option, at a majority request of traders, at an hour not earlier than six, instead of seven.

Photo of Mr Herbert Morrison Mr Herbert Morrison , Hackney South

I fully recognise the desire of my hon. Friends that this question, which affects the interests of the large number of persons employed in shops, should not be overlooked or indefinitely postponed, but I am not in a position to make a statement at the present time.

Photo of Mr John Leslie Mr John Leslie , Sedgefield

When the Minister is in a position to do so, will he consider a limitation of the assistants' hours, because early closing is not sufficient, as it does not assure them of getting away when the shop closes?

Photo of Mr Herbert Morrison Mr Herbert Morrison , Hackney South

I will see that that point is considered.

Photo of Mr Rhys Davies Mr Rhys Davies , Westhoughton

Does the right hon. Gentleman intend us to understand that he is making some sort of inquiry into this very important subject?

Photo of Mr Herbert Morrison Mr Herbert Morrison , Hackney South

I did not intend anything. My answer concluded: I am not in a position to make a statement at the present time.