HC Deb 13 August 1919 vol 119 c1547

(1) This Act may be cited as the Profiteering Act, 1919.

(2) This Act shall continue in force for six months and no longer, unless Parliament otherwise determines.

Mr. G. THORNE

I beg to move, after the word "Act" ["This Act shall continue in force"], to insert the words "with the exception of the third Section."

I move this Amendment in accordance with the indication I gave a short time ago of my wish to exempt Clause 3 from the six months' limit. I do that with a practical purpose, because the Government have accepted an Amendment to Clause 3 which requires the local authorities to carry on their trading operations on a commercial basis, and I do not see how it is possible to do that within the time-limit of six months.

Sir A. GEDDES

I really do not think my hon. Friend expects any answer from me. He has already heard me say that we have no intention of accepting this Amendment.

Amendment negatived.

Clause ordered to stand part of the Bill.