§ 3. Mr. HANNONasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has re- 1567 ceived representations from the Birmingham Law Society and other law societies urging the passing of the Companies Bill during the Autumn Session; and if he is in a position to state the date upon which he will take the Second Reading?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI have seen representations from some of the country law societies in the sense indicated. I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Devonport (Mr. Hore-Belisha) on 17th November, of which I am sending him a copy.
§ Mr. HANNONCan the Minister give an undertaking that this Bill will be introduced as early as possible in the next Session of Parliament?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI do not thing I can give an undertaking, but we are anxious to introduce this Bill. The hon. Member will appreciate that it would be very unfair to ask a Committee to devote a good deal of attention to this Bill this Session if there were not time to proceed with it through the remaining stages.