My final argument is one which I make with a measure of self-interest, which I declare. In the main, the hours worked by shop workers are tied to shop opening hours. Employers in the retail trades do not agree with piecemeal legislation of this kind. But USDAW, in which I have an interest, and the employers have always tried to strike a balance between the real needs of the general public and the rights of shop workers to reasonable working schedules USDAW members put up with antisocial hours to serve the public in an industry which is efficient and prosperous but which carries a low pay label. Workers in the industry have never had fair recognition of their contribution to the British economy, nor the standing and rewards which their services deserve What is more, 70 per cent. of the labour force is female, with other domestic responsibilities. If this Bill were passed it would make the working conditions of all shop workers more intolerable. For this and the many other reasons which I have given, I ask right hon. and hon. Members to oppose the Bill.