PARLIAMENT is to look at a proposal by a North-East MP to ban large stores from opening on Christmas Day.
Today, the first reading of a Private Members' Bill, submitted by North Durham MP Kevan Jones, will take place.
Current legislation only bans larger stores in England and Wales from opening on December 25 if it is a Sunday. While few of the bigger retailers have opened on Christmas Day in the past, there are concerns that competitive pressure will convince some retailers to do so.
Retail trade union Usdaw fears that retail companies will force staff to work, as not enough people will volunteer to come in.
General secretary of the union, Sir Bill Connor, said: "Regardless of religion, Christmas Day holds special significance in the British calendar. It should be kept special, with larger stores kept shut.
"Usdaw fully supports Kevan Jones' Bill and looks forward to its implementation in law in time for Christmas 2004."
Earlier in December, a petition signed by more than a quarter of a million people, calling for larger stores to close in England and Wales on Christmas Day, was handed in to 10 Downing Street by Mr Jones, Sir Bill Connor and Usdaw President Marge Carey.
The second reading of Mr Jones' Christmas Day (Trading) Bill is scheduled for March.
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