While the Bill introduced by John Marshall, Conservative M.P. for Hendon South under the 10-minute rule in an attempt to lift Sabbath Trading restrictions has failed by being rejected decisively by M.P.’s, yet the Home Office is engaged in discussions with various groups, including Church representatives to try to get general agreement on the reform of the Sab-
bath laws. It is said that the Prime Minister favours reform of the Sabbath trading laws. The Home Office minister, Mrs Angela Rumbold, has emphasised that no proposal to change the law will be made until general agreement has been reached. The aim is no doubt to relax the laws as they presently stand, but the proper course is to make them more strict and make them applicable to Scotland as well as to England and Wales.