HC Deb 28 November 1916 vol 88 cc239-40

On receiving any statement or statutory declaration made in pursuance of this Act the Registrar shall cause the same to be filed, and he shall send by post or deliver a certificate of the registration thereof to the firm or person registering and the certificate shall be exhibited in a conspicuous position at the principal place of business of the firm or individual.

Amendments made: After the word "certificate" ["and the certificate shall be exhibited"], insert the words "or a certified copy thereof."

After the word "be" ["certificate shall be exhibited"], insert the word "kept."—[Mr. Pretyman.]

Mr. PRETYMAN

I beg to move, at the end of the Clause, to add the words "and if not kept so exhibited, every partner in the firm or the individual, as the case may be, shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding twenty pounds."

Mr. WATSON

Would not corporations come within this particular provision of the Bill?

Mr. PRETYMAN

If partners of a firm, they would come in.

Mr. WATSON

Where a corporation is an agent for another corporation or firm, they have to furnish particulars. Should not this Amendment apply to them as well? Sir G. CAVE: This Amendment does apply to them. It is only when partners in in the firm that they make that return.

Mr. WATSON

If the right hon. and learned Gentleman will look at Clause 2, there is the case where a corporation carries on business as nominee for some other firm or person. There the corporation makes the return qua corporation, not qua partners of a firm.

Sir G. CAVE

I think it better that we should not use here the word "individual," but "person," which, as the hon. and learned Gentleman knows, will include "corporation." If I may be allowed, I will move it in that way.

Amendment made to the proposed Amendment: Leave out the word "indi- vidual" ["in the firm or the individual, as the case may be"], and insert instead thereof the word "person."—[Sir G. Cave.]

Words proposed, as amended, there inserted.