An hon. Member no longer in his place made a valid point, even though I come at this from completely opposite directions. The Secretary of State is responsible for business and enterprise in this country. He has said that there will be a huge economic benefit from the Bill even...

An hon. Member no longer in his place made a valid point, even though I come at this from completely opposite directions. The Secretary of State is responsible for business and enterprise in this country. He has said that there will be a huge economic benefit from the Bill even...

I can repeat what I have already said. This is not just a personal commitment by the Minister of State or me; it is a Government commitment. There is a sunset clause in the Bill, which can be debated in detail as we make progress through the rest of the...

I can repeat what I have already said. This is not just a personal commitment by the Minister of State or me; it is a Government commitment. There is a sunset clause in the Bill, which can be debated in detail as we make progress through the rest of the...

In the light of that answer, what sort of assurance can the Secretary of State give the House that the Bill, or the experience of deregulated trading during the Olympics, will not be used as a Trojan horse to introduce wider deregulation measures? Will he promise the House that that...

In the light of that answer, what sort of assurance can the Secretary of State give the House that the Bill, or the experience of deregulated trading during the Olympics, will not be used as a Trojan horse to introduce wider deregulation measures? Will he promise the House that that...

Does the Secretary of State recognise that the average retail worker in London is a woman who has a family? Does he also recognise that when we are on holiday in continental Europe and want to go shopping we often find the shopkeeper having a siesta? Why does he think...

Does the Secretary of State recognise that the average retail worker in London is a woman who has a family? Does he also recognise that when we are on holiday in continental Europe and want to go shopping we often find the shopkeeper having a siesta? Why does he think...

I am a London boy and very, very proud of it. I believe that the richness, the dynamism and the energy and drive of this city are unrivalled. We were all immensely proud when, on 6 July 2005, we watched the president of the International Olympic Committee announce that our...

I am a London boy and very, very proud of it. I believe that the richness, the dynamism and the energy and drive of this city are unrivalled. We were all immensely proud when, on 6 July 2005, we watched the president of the International Olympic Committee announce that our...

On the first part of the question, I should say as a former employment lawyer that, notwithstanding the technical rights in the Bill and in legislation, the reality of the situation may be different. The employee may have rights, but they may feel under pressure to agree to a request...

On the first part of the question, I should say as a former employment lawyer that, notwithstanding the technical rights in the Bill and in legislation, the reality of the situation may be different. The employee may have rights, but they may feel under pressure to agree to a request...

The hon. Gentleman makes a reasonable point, but given the time scale, the fact that the Government have had to put forward their own consideration and think through implications themselves, and the short and temporary nature of the legislation, a shorter period is not entirely unreasonable. Liberal Democrats have been...

The hon. Gentleman makes a reasonable point, but given the time scale, the fact that the Government have had to put forward their own consideration and think through implications themselves, and the short and temporary nature of the legislation, a shorter period is not entirely unreasonable. Liberal Democrats have been...

It is driven by the Treasury.

It is driven by the Treasury.

I am probably old enough to remember when there were no stores to open. I have some sympathy with what my hon. Friend says, but does he recognise that the relaxation will apply for eight weeks, and that there is no proposal to extend that? Does he very much welcome...

I am probably old enough to remember when there were no stores to open. I have some sympathy with what my hon. Friend says, but does he recognise that the relaxation will apply for eight weeks, and that there is no proposal to extend that? Does he very much welcome...

Sunday Trading (London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games) Bill (HL). Second Reading debate agreed to on division (273 to 131). Committee stage. Clauses 1 to 3 agreed to. Bill reported without amendment. Third reading agreed to on division (272 to 125). Bill passed.Bill read a Second time; to stand committed to a Committee of the whole House (Order, this day).Bill considered in Committee (Order, this day).Proceedings interrupted (Order, this day)The Chair put forthwith the Question necessary for the disposal of the business to be concluded at that time (Order, this day).Clauses 1 to 3 ordered to stand part of the Bill.The Deputy Speaker resumed the Chair.Bill reported, without amendment.Question put forthwith (Order, this day), That the Bill be now read the Third time. Agreed to on division (272 to 125). Bill read the Third time and passed.

Sunday Trading (London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games) Bill (HL). Second Reading debate agreed to on division (273 to 131). Committee stage. Clauses 1 to 3 agreed to. Bill reported without amendment. Third reading agreed to on division (272 to 125). Bill passed.Bill read a Second time; to stand committed...

I agree 100% with my hon. Friend. The point is that Sunday is special; the 1994 Act recognised that by providing for certain opening hours for large stores, and certain opening hours for small stores. I am not looking to change that; the Bill looks to change that for eight...

I agree 100% with my hon. Friend. The point is that Sunday is special; the 1994 Act recognised that by providing for certain opening hours for large stores, and certain opening hours for small stores. I am not looking to change that; the Bill looks to change that for eight...

I am puzzled as to why my hon. Friend thinks that it is important for Sunday to be kept special for workers in supermarkets, when he does not seem to think it worth keeping it special for people who work in small convenience stores. If he wishes to be consistent,...

I am puzzled as to why my hon. Friend thinks that it is important for Sunday to be kept special for workers in supermarkets, when he does not seem to think it worth keeping it special for people who work in small convenience stores. If he wishes to be consistent,...

My hon. Friend introduces just two circumstances that could occur. I shall shortly come on to others that cause me concern. It has already been made clear that workers wishing to exercise their right to opt out of working on a Sunday under the Bill would have to notify their...

My hon. Friend introduces just two circumstances that could occur. I shall shortly come on to others that cause me concern. It has already been made clear that workers wishing to exercise their right to opt out of working on a Sunday under the Bill would have to notify their...

I could not agree more with my hon. Friend. I am sure that not just my constituents but those of every other Member have expressed concern about the legislation that is being pushed through at this late stage. There are many reasons for their concern, all of them valid. First,...

I could not agree more with my hon. Friend. I am sure that not just my constituents but those of every other Member have expressed concern about the legislation that is being pushed through at this late stage. There are many reasons for their concern, all of them valid. First,...

That might have been unintentional, but I am happy to say that certainly hon. Members from Northern Ireland make it abundantly clear that we are a vital, vibrant part of the United Kingdom, and we would like the Conservative and Liberal coalition to remember that, please. I was talking about...

That might have been unintentional, but I am happy to say that certainly hon. Members from Northern Ireland make it abundantly clear that we are a vital, vibrant part of the United Kingdom, and we would like the Conservative and Liberal coalition to remember that, please. I was talking about...

Which countries have longer opening on Sundays than ours?

Which countries have longer opening on Sundays than ours?

I have some sympathy with that view, and I will come on to address the effect on families.

I have some sympathy with that view, and I will come on to address the effect on families.

I will give way to the Member representing the Olympic park.

I will give way to the Member representing the Olympic park.

It is reasonable for any employee to object to working on a Sunday so that they can spend more time with their family. Members on both sides of the House will have been contacted by USDAW, the shop workers' union, on this issue. USDAW does an excellent job for its...

It is reasonable for any employee to object to working on a Sunday so that they can spend more time with their family. Members on both sides of the House will have been contacted by USDAW, the shop workers' union, on this issue. USDAW does an excellent job for its...

Does my hon. Friend agree that stores are not allowed to open on Easter Sunday, and the world did not stop on that day?

Does my hon. Friend agree that stores are not allowed to open on Easter Sunday, and the world did not stop on that day?