Sunday Trading (London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games) Bill [HL]

The Sunday Trading (London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games) Bill [HL] is subject to the fast-track procedure. The Bill was introduced into the House of Lords where it had its Second Reading debate on 24 April 2012. It is expected to complete its remaining stages in the House of Lords on 26 April 2012 and then to be introduced in the House of Commons. All stages of the Bill are expected to take place in the House of Commons on just one day, 30 April 2012. Given these time constraints, this Paper has been published after the Bill’s Second Reading in the House of Lords but before its consideration in Committee.

The Bill would introduce a temporary suspension of the current rules on Sunday trading for large stores in England and Wales. The period of suspension would be for eight consecutive Sundays during the Olympic and Paralympic Games, beginning on 22 July 2012 (the Sunday before the opening ceremony) and ending on Sunday 9 September 2012 (the date of the closing ceremony of the Paralympics).