Bishop Backs Campaign to keep Sunday work Free

July 6, 2010 - Today in the House of Lords Lord Hylton proposed that Sundays be kept as work-free as possible.

It follows requests to the European Union by the Council of Ministers.

Speaking to Premier's "Revd" Cindy Kent is the Bishop of Gloucester - Right Reverend Michael Perham (click on play button):

Sunday Trading — Question

House of Lords debates, 6 July 2010, 2:48 pm 

The government has said it has "no plans" to change the laws on shops opening on Sundays.

In the House of Lords, Business Minister Baroness Wilcox said it was important to maintain "flexibility" for employees and firms.

But crossbench peer Lord Hylton argued that a national day of rest would "bring huge benefits" to families, voluntary work and the environment.

Sunday trading was introduced in England and Wales in 1994.

Addressing peers, Baroness Wilcox said: "The government has no plans to make Sundays work-free."
'Lovely thought'

Lord Hylton asked: "Can I persuade her that a national day of rest would bring huge benefits to family life, to recreational sport, to voluntary social activity and even to the environment, by reducing the pollution arising from commercial activities?"

Baroness Wilcox replied: "What a lovely thought. But you will be aware that British workers already have that right to a day's rest, or two days a week, and it's not up to the government to decide what best suits the individual."

There were some laughs when Liberal Democrat Lord Razzall suggested that banning trading risked "throwing us back to those dull Sundays we remember as teenagers".

One peer yelled: "Speak for yourself."

In response to a comment from the Bishop of Gloucester, Baroness Wilcox said Boxing Day, which falls on a Sunday this year, would be treated as a normal trading Sunday.

Under the Sunday Trading Act, all stores in England and Wales are free to trade in all goods on Sundays. BBC

NOTE:  One step back, two steps forward.  The papacy continues its relentless campaign to enshrine Sunday observance into EU law.  Pope Benedict XVI visits Britain in September.  Bible prophecy has pulled back the curtain and will be fulfilled to the letter.  Soon papal and apostate protestant influence will bring about Sunday enforcement in England as it has in other European nations.  "In both the Old and the New World, the papacy will receive homage in the honor paid to the Sunday institution, that rests solely upon the authority of the Roman Church."  GC 578.