Sunday Trading (London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games) Bill [Lords] (Allocation of Time)

Kevin Brennan Excerpts

Monday 30th April 2012 Commons Chamber

[Kevin Brennan (Cardiff West) (Lab)]

I was not going to make a speech, but the Minister refused to give way, and that forces me to stand at this point.

I shall make two brief points on the programme motion, which is what we are discussing. First, it is interesting that the Minister is proposing to allow shops to open for as long as they like, but allowing us to discuss this matter only until 10 pm this evening.

Secondly, the Minister mentioned all the people whom he had consulted on the matter. I do not think that any of us were surprised that he ignored the work force in shops or some religious organisations, but I was quite surprised that he ignored the chief executive of Sainsbury’s, who said that the measure was unnecessary. What everyone is trying to get to the bottom of is: who is the driving force behind putting through this temporary legislation? Who is really behind it? Perhaps this evening we might discover the answer to that question. I have read the Lords debate and I am none the wiser.

--- Later in debate ---

[Dr Thérèse Coffey (Suffolk Coastal) (Con)]

My hon. Friend the Minister knows that I have concerns about the Bill, and I wish that more time had been set aside so that amendments about geography could have been debated rather than being perceived as wrecking amendments.

[Kevin Brennan]

The hon. Lady says that she has concerns. Has she a free vote on the matter?

[Dr Coffey]

As the hon. Gentleman knows, every vote in the House is a free vote.

I stress to my hon. Friends on the Front Bench that the amendments that some of us thought about tabling would have tried to be helpful. As was mentioned earlier, we are considering a festival of sport—one of the greatest things that will ever happen in our country. The route from Stratford or Pudding Mill takes people through a shopping centre, and it would be odd if they could not buy something on their way home, but I am not sure what excuse there is for some of the shopping centres further afield to be open.

I understand that the matter is important for the Government and I did not table any amendments because I did not want to be perceived as trying to wreck the Bill, but I hope that any other debate on Sunday trading hours will be given time for hon. Members to discuss the subject properly.

Question put.