The Festival of Britain (Sunday Opening) Bill.
The debate on the second reading of the Festival of Britain (Sunday Opening) Bill took place in the House of Commons on Thursday, the 23rd November. Mr. Herbert Morrison moved the second reading of the Bill, which was introduced by the Government to legalise the opening of all sections of this Exhibition in 1951, on the Lord’s Day. Mr. J. L. Orr-Ewing (Weston-super-Mare), Conservative, moved the rejection of the Bill. His amendment was defeated, 364 voting for the Bill and 128 for his amendment. Later, on Tuesday, the 28th November, 1950, a free vote was taken at the Committee stage, on the question of the Fun Fair at Battersea Park being allowed to open on the Lord’s Day during the Exhibition. Mr. Thomas (Cardiff, W.), Labour, moved an amendment: that the Fun Fair be not opened on the Lord’s Day. His amendment was carried by 389 to 134. For this partial success in preventing legalised Sabbath desecration, we ought to be grateful. The Government, and particular members thereof, including the Prime Minister, Mr. Herbert Morrison and Sir Hartley Shawcross, the Attorney General, has incurred a serious burden of guilt in legislating for the transgression of God’s holy law. God will in no wise clear the guilty. Space in this issue forbids our writing fuller notes on this question in general. This we may do later (D.V.).