§ Sir J. SIMONI beg to move, "That leave be given to introduce a Bill to make provision in connection with the present War with respect to Bills of Exchange payable outside the British Islands."
605 Perhaps I might explain that, as the House no doubt remembers, in the ordinary way the holder of a Bill of Exchange who wants to have recourse for payment to the drawer of it or the endorser of it—the persons who are only sureties—has first of all to present it for payment to the acceptor who is primarily liable. It is quite true that the present law provides for certain exceptional cases in which the holder is excused for delay in making such presentation to the acceptor. A good deal of doubt exists as to whether the present law will be sufficient to protect the holders of bills who are anxious to present them to acceptors abroad and who cannot as a matter of practice present them, either because the acceptor is in an enemy country, or because of the difficulties involved in transmitting them by post. We propose to introduce this Pill to make it clear that our Courts will enforce the remedy against persons secondarily liable provided that reasonable steps have been taken to present a bill to the person who is primarily liable.
§ Mr. DUKEWill the right hon. and learned Gentleman take care that the Bill is retrospective so as to protect the period that has passed since the outbreak of the War?
Bill ordered to be brought in by the Attorney-General, the Solicitor-General, and Mr. Montagu. Presented accordingly; lead the first time; to be read a second time To-morrow, and to be printed. [Bill 397.]