HC Deb 04 January 1916 vol 77 cc892-3

The Minister of Munitions may by order declare any establishment belonging to or under the control of His Majesty or any Government Department in which munitions work is carried on to be a controlled establishment, and thereupon the provisions of the Munitions of War Act, 1915 (hereinafter referred to as "the principal Act"), and this Act relating to controlled establishments shall apply to such establishments subject to such modifications and exceptions necessary to adapt those provisions to such establishments as may be specified in such order.

Mr. KING

I beg to word "establishment" ["the Minister of Munitions may by order declare any establishment"], to insert the words "or establishments."

Mr. SPEAKER

This Amendment is governed by the Interpretation Act, which says that the singular includes the plural.

Mr. KING

May I point to you. Sir, and the House, that though in the Interpretation Act the singular does include the plural, this Amendment and the next three Amendments on the Paper are really directed to making the Clause read in good grammar. I contend that this Clause is not good grammar. I know it is very difficult to get any Amendment accepted by the Treasury Bench, especially one which seems in any way to affect them.—

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

It will save time if I say that although these Amendments are covered by the Interpretation Act, as Mr. Speaker has pointed out, we do not mind accepting them.

Proposed words there inserted.

Further Amendments made: After the word "establishment" ["in which munitions work is carried on to be a controlled establishment "], insert the words "or controlled establishments as the case may be." After the word "such" ["shall apply to such establishments"], insert the words "an establishment or." After the word "such" ["adapt those provisions to such establishments"], insert the words "an establishment or."—[Mr. King.]