Prohibition Of Loading And Unloading At Large Shops Before 9 A.M. On Christmas Day

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 10:15 am on 15 October 2004.

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Photo of John Bercow John Bercow Conservative, Buckingham 10:15, 15 October 2004

I think that my hon. Friend Mr. Leigh is genuinely troubled on philosophical grounds, because he thinks that the amendment does violence to Conservative principles. I put it to my right hon. Friend, by way of underlining his argument, that the diffusion of power to the localities in the way recommended in his amendment is wholly consistent with Burke's idea of "the little platoon" of people at local level determining their own fate. Furthermore, the amendment's excellence lies in the fact that it will deter businesses that are considering behaving badly. Those that do not plan to behave badly can hardly complain that the provision entails an additional burden: palpably, it does not.