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Rev. Ian Paisley (Antrim, North) : Will the hon. Gentleman give way?

Mr. Randall : No, I shall not.

The spirit behind the deregulation of the Sunday trading laws coincides with the deregulatory attitude adopted by the hon. Member for Berkshire, East.

My hon. Friend the Member for Dumbarton said that in Ireland there is racing on Sundays and that the betting shops are closed. He felt that we should consider following that practice. He also mentioned the trade unions and said that the TGWU and USDAW are opposed to the Bill because of the serious effects that it will have on employees in the industry.

If we are to make progress we must ensure that the terms and conditions of workers, as outlined in the Bill, are made appreciably better. People should be able to feel that they can work on a Sunday if they desire without its having an unacceptable effect on their way of life.

The hon. Member for Crawley spoke about the law being in disrepute and he is correct. As I said in answer to the hon. Gentleman's earlier intervention, the important thing is how we work in the future to re- establish the law's repute. The hon. Gentleman said that he does not believe that the Bill is a stalking horse for Sunday trading, but I am not sure that that is so. I have my doubts and I believe that many people in the country are suspicious. I believe that--

Mr. Andrew MacKay rose in his place and claimed to move, That the Question be no put.

Question put, That the Question be now put :--

The House divided : Ayes 51, Noes 67.

Division No. 102] [2.25 pm

AYES

Adley, Robert

Alexander, Richard

Arbuthnot, James

Atkinson, David

Baker, Nicholas (Dorset N)

Baldry, Tony

Bowis, John

Browne, John (Winchester)

Buck, Sir Antony

Carlisle, John, (Luton N)

Carlisle, Kenneth (Lincoln)

Clarke, Rt Hon K. (Rushcliffe)

Cohen, Harry

Colvin, Michael

Currie, Mrs Edwina

Davis, David (Boothferry)

Dorrell, Stephen

Durant, Tony

Eggar, Tim

Evans, David (Welwyn Hatf'd)

Fraser, John

Gilmour, Rt Hon Sir Ian

Gow, Ian

Greenway, Harry (Ealing N)

Hamilton, Hon Archie (Epsom)

Haselhurst, Alan

Hogg, Hon Douglas (Gr'th'm)

Holt, Richard

Howell, Rt Hon D. (S'heath)

Hunt, David (Wirral W)

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Column 679

Janman, Tim

Knapman, Roger

Knox, David

MacKay, Andrew (E Berkshire)

Mayhew, Rt Hon Sir Patrick

Morrison, Sir Charles

Nelson, Anthony

Rathbone, Tim

Rhodes James, Robert

Richardson, Jo

Ruddock, Joan

Shaw, David (Dover)

Sims, Roger

Soames, Hon Nicholas

Summerson, Hugo

Townsend, Cyril D. (B'heath)

Waller, Gary

Walters, Sir Dennis

Wells, Bowen

Wheeler, John

Whitney, Ray

Tellers for the Ayes :

Mr. James Couchman and

Mr. Peter Thurnham.

NOES

Alison, Rt Hon Michael

Allen, Graham

Alton, David

Anderson, Donald

Banks, Robert (Harrogate)

Barnes, Harry (Derbyshire NE)

Battle, John

Beggs, Roy

Benyon, W.

Carrington, Matthew

Corbyn, Jeremy

Cousins, Jim

Cryer, Bob

Davies, Q. (Stamf'd & Spald'g)

Dover, Den

Dunnachie, Jimmy

Dunwoody, Hon Mrs Gwyneth

Field, Frank (Birkenhead)

Flynn, Paul

Forsythe, Clifford (Antrim S)

Goodhart, Sir Philip

Griffiths, Win (Bridgend)

Ground, Patrick

Hinchliffe, David

Hughes, John (Coventry NE)

Hughes, Roy (Newport E)

Jessel, Toby

Jones, Ieuan (Ynys Mo n)

Kaufman, Rt Hon Gerald

Kennedy, Charles

Lofthouse, Geoffrey

McAvoy, Thomas

McCrea, Rev William

McCusker, Harold

Macdonald, Calum A.

McFall, John

Maclennan, Robert

Madden, Max

Maginnis, Ken

Marek, Dr John

Martlew, Eric

Meale, Alan

Michael, Alun

Molyneaux, Rt Hon James

Murphy, Paul

Nellist, Dave

Paisley, Rev Ian

Powell, Ray (Ogmore)

Quin, Ms Joyce

Randall, Stuart

Robinson, Peter (Belfast E)

Rossi, Sir Hugh

Skinner, Dennis

Smith, Andrew (Oxford E)

Smyth, Rev Martin (Belfast S)

Spearing, Nigel

Stanbrook, Ivor

Straw, Jack

Taylor, Mrs Ann (Dewsbury)

Taylor, Teddy (S'end E)

Turner, Dennis

Walker, A. Cecil (Belfast N)

Wareing, Robert N.

Welsh, Andrew (Angus E)

Widdecombe, Ann

Wise, Mrs Audrey

Young, David (Bolton SE)

Tellers for the Noes :

Mr. A. E. P. Duffy and

Mr A. J. Beith.

Question accordingly negatived.

It being after half-past Two o'clock, the debate stood adjourned. Debate to be resumed on Friday 24 February.

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