HC Deb 29 May 1933 vol 278 cc1686-8

Amendments made: In page 28, line 14, leave out the words "there shall be substituted for paragraph (e)," and insert instead thereof the words: in paragraph (b) for the words 'kind, variety, or grade,' in each place where those words occur there shall be substituted the word 'description,' for paragraph (e) there shall be substituted. In line 17, leave out the words "kinds, varieties, grades, or.

In line 22, leave out the words "kind, variety, grade."

In line 25, at the begininng, insert the words: in paragraph (f), for the words 'kind, variety, and for the words' kind, variety, grade,' there shall be substituted the word 'description.'

In line 37, after the word "circumstances," insert the words "and in respect of such matters."—[Major Elliot.]

11.15 p.m.

Major MILNER

I beg to move, in page 29, line 1, to leave out from the word "producers" to the end of the paragraph.

The original Act provided that funds should be established out of which adequate compensation might be made to producers, in proportion to the respective contribution of the producers, but the Minister now proposes to do away with that form of distribution and to insert the words: in such manner as may be provided by the scheme. The effect of my Amendment would be to leave the Act as origiNaily passed in 1931. I call the attention of the House to the fact that, if the matter is left as desired by the Minister, there would be no right to compensation to producers under that Clause. That is a very serious matter to introduce into a Schedule at the tail end of a Bill, and I hope that the Minister, who has shown signs of relenting a good deal, may relent sufficiently to accept the Amendment.

11.16 p.m.

Dr. BURG1N

We all desire that any fund which has been assembled in this way should be distributed properly, and the hon. and gallant Member who moved the Amendment wants some assurance that it will go to producers. The method of distribution may be controlled by producers, the Minister and by Parliament. The point is quite simple. Under the old Act a fund which was accumulated was to be distributed in proportion to all contributions over a great many years. That might produce a most inequitable result, and in order to simplify the old Act, words are introduced into this Schedule which enable a scheme to pro- vide a method of distribution applicable to the right people who contribute to the fund for the right period of time.

Major MILNER

Not necessarily to producers?

Dr. BURGIN

You are to distribute the fund among the right people in the right-manner, that can be controlled by producers, Minister and Parliament. That is definitely simpler and better.

Major MILNER

I beg to ask leave to withdraw the Amendment.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Bill to be read the Third time To-morrow.