Paragraph 4

Section 72 (order of magistrates' courts under section 70^f1 of the 1964 Act shall be amended as follows.

After subsection (2) insert:

“(2A)

In the case of an order under section 70 of this Act which would extend the permitted hours on a Sunday, subsections (2B) to (2C) apply.

(2B)

In considering whether to make such an order the magistrates' court shall take account of—

(a)

the special nature of Sunday, and

(b)

any guidance on that special nature issued by the Secretary of State.

(2C)

Where the magistrates' court makes such an order with respect to any premises in spite of an objection from a relevant local authority which is based on the residential character of the area in which the premises are situated, they shall state their reasons for doing so.”.

After subsection (3) insert:

“(4)

In this section “relevant local authority” has the same meaning as in section 71(5) of this Act.”.