§ Where a business carried on in the United Kingdom, which, in the opinion of the Board of Trade, could at any time have been wound up under the provisions of the principal Act or of this Act if it had not been transferred, is being carried on by any person, firm, or company other than that by whom it was carried on at the commencement of the War the Board may, if they think fit, require evidence that the transfer, if any, of the business was made bonâ fide and for valuable consideration, and that the person, firm, or company by whom the business is carried on is not carrying on the business on behalf of or for the benefit of enemy subjects, or in any way under enemy control, and if they are not satisfied by such evidence the Board may make an Order requiring the business to be wound up as though it were a business to which Section one of the principal Act applies.—[Sir J. Butcher.]
§ Brought up, and read the first time.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERI beg to move, "That the Clause be read a second time."
Its object is to secure that where Germans were carrying on business at the commencement of the War, and in order to evade the operation of the Act of 1916, or for any other purpose, transferred their business to some other persons to hold it in trust for them to ensure, that operation should not be successful. I think this Clause carries out that object and will prevent the operation of what has been merely fraudulent transference of businesses for the purposes of evading the operation of the Act.
§ Question put, and agreed to.
2215§ Clause accordingly read a second time, and added to the Bill.