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Mr. Skeet
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland for how long Sunday trading has operated in Scotland; and what assessment he makes of the current social impact.
Mr. John MacKay
There has been no general statutory prohibition on Sunday trading in Scotland in any post-Union legislation. Such patterns of Sunday trading as have developed have done so in response to local demand and local opinion. My right hon. Friend accepts the assessment of the social impact of Sunday trading in Scotland made by the National Consumer Council and by the Auld committee of inquiry into proposals to amend the Shops Act, set out in paragraphs 238 and 243 of the Auld report (Cmnd. 9376).