Sunday Observance Debate

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30677, 17 February 1965, Page 13

Sunday Observance Debate

(N.Z PA.-Reuter—Copyright) LONDON, Feb. 16. Everyone agreed in a House of Commons debate last night that something should be done to brighten up the English Sunday. But at the end of the debate, there was no sign that the Labour Government, any more than its Conservative predecessor, would take early action on such a controversial subject. The first Government speaker, Sir Frank Soskice, the Home Secretary, ridiculed many of the laws and ad-

mitted they were obsolete and unenforceable. I For instance, singing is at- I lowed on Sunday, for that is 1 “music.” If the singer puts i on a false moustache he is taking part in “variety,” 1 which is banned. ! He said there was unlikely 1 to be agreement from every- 1 body since the answers to the ; questions posed would be con- • siderably influenced by deep ’ convictions and habits of mind. ! ! His chief lieutenant. Mr 1 j George Thomas, who would 1 1 carry the burden of making any changes, emphasised all 1 j the difficulties of action in ! ; religious and family life, civil 1 ' liberties and social obliga- ■ "'tions.

Many Sunday observance laws were passed in 1625 to force people to go to church by banning other activities which could interfere. The most effective law regulating Sunday entertainment and sport today is the Sunday Observance Act of 1780 as amended in 1932. It is this statute which bans the opening of public theatres, music and dance halls and the holding of sporting events when charges are made for admission. The House was debating recommendations by a committee which has been studying the problem for three years. The committee urged that

theatres should be open after 12.30 p.m. on Sunday, as well as cinemas. Musical and variety entertainment, fun fairs and circuses, ballet, public dancing and amateur sport should also be fully allowed. Some shopping, particularly for food and drink, would also be a little freer, but in general shops would not open and professional football matches and horseracing were not favoured. The recommendations were not voted on.

Mr Thomas said they would not be put into cold storage, but the question of Sunday was not one on which any Government could act hurriedly or impetuously.