HC Deb 08 June 1915 vol 72 cc218-9

(1) The Minister of Munitions may adopt an official seal and describe himself generally by the style and title of the Minister of Munitions, and the seal of the Minister shall be officially and judicially noticed and shall be authenticated by the signature of the Minister or of a secretary or some person authorised by the Minister to act on behalf of a secretary.

(2) Every document purporting to be an Order or other instrument issued by the Minister of Munitions and to be sealed with the seal of the Minister authenticated in manner provided by this Section or to be signed by the secretary or any person authorised as aforesaid shall be received in evidence and be deemed to be such Order or instrument without further proof, unless the contrary is shown.

(3) A certificate signed by the Minister of Munitions that any Order or other instrument purporting to be made or issued by him is so made or issued shall be conclusive evidence of the fact so certified.

Amendments made: In Sub-section (1), leave out the word "on" ["act on behalf"], and insert instead thereof the words "in that."

Leave out the words "of a secretary" ["on behalf of a secretary."]

Sir J. SIMON

I beg to move, at the end of Sub-section (3), to insert,

(4) Where in connection with the undertaking of any duties or powers by the Minister of Munitions it appears to the Minister of Munitions and the Department or authority concerned that in any notice, order, contract, or other document, the name of the Minister of Munitions should be substituted for the name of any Department or authority, or that the name of any officer of the Ministry of Munitions should be substituted for the name of any officer of any such Department or authority, the Minister of Munitions may order that the substitution shall take effect, subject to any limitations contained in the Order, and, where such an Order is made, the notice, order, contract, or document shall have effect in accordance with the Order.

This is the Amendment to which I referred, in answer to the Member for Walsall, just now. The Committee will see that it deals with arrangements to be made between the Ministry of Munitions and other Departments whereby the name of the Minister of Munitions may be substituted for the name of any Department or authority in regard to contracts, notices, and things of that sort.

Question, "That those words be there inserted," put, and agreed to.

Clause, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.