asked the Home Secretary whether in view of a small minority of employers using the Summer Time Bill to extend the hours during which shops are open, he will introduce legislation to amend the Shops Acts in order that compulsory closing orders may be made for an earlier hour than seven o'clock, and provision made for a maximum 48-hour week?

I am afraid the Government cannot consider proposals to amend the Shops Acts this Session.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that even in cases where the employers and the employés are agreed, it is not possible to make a compulsory closing order earlier than seven o'clock? Does he not think that it is reprehensible that firms should use the Summer Time Act to extend the hours of their assistants, against the wishes of all decent employers in that particular area?

There is also a question as regards the use of the Summer Time Act by the hon. Member for the Sutton Division of Plymouth (Viscountess Astor). I have very little information that such a use of the Summer Time Act is common. I cannot find that the Summer Time Act has been used for extending the time for keeping open shops, but I would ask the Noble Lady, and I would ask the hon. Member to give me any details, and I will inquire into them at once.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the extension of hours usually comes about because some one individual tries to take advantage of his colleagues in a particular trade?

Perhaps the hon. Member would send me particulars.

Viscountess ASTOR:

asked the Home Secretary whether ho is aware that certain London drapery stores make a practice of requiring their shop assistants to work an hour longer in the evening as soon as Summer Time comes into force; and whether he will take steps to prohibit this method of depriving them of the benefit of the Act?

Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSON:

I believe it is the case that some London drapery firms keep open for half an hour to an hour longer during part of the summer, but my information is that this is a practice of long standing, which was in existence before the introduction of Summer Time, and is quite unconnected with it. If the Noble Lady has any evidence to the contrary, and will forward it to me, I shall be glad to consider it.