HC Deb 14 November 1933 vol 281 cc816-7

(1) If it comes to the knowledge of an officer employed, whether under this Act or any other enactment, by a local authority, that a contract in which he has any pecuniary interest, whether direct or indirect (not being a contract to which he is himself a party) has been, or is proposed to be, entered into by the authority or any committee thereof, he shall, as soon as practicable, give notice in writing to the authority of the fact that he is interested therein.

For the purposes of this section an officer shall be treated as having indirectly a pecuniary interest in a contract or proposed contract if he would have been so treated by virtue of Sub-section (2) or Sub-section (3) of Section seventy-six of this Act had he been a member of the authority.

(2) An officer of a local authority shall not, under colour of his office or employment, exact or accept any fee or reward whatsoever other than his proper remuneration.

(3) If any person fails to comply with the provisions of Sub-section (1) or contravenes any of the provisions of Sub-section (2) of this Section he shall for each offence he liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding fifty pounds.

(4) References in this Section to a local authority shall include a reference to a joint committee appointed under Part III of this Act.—[Mr. Knight.]

Brought up, and read the First time.

6.50 p.m.

Mr. KNIGHT

I beg to move, "That the Clause be read a Second time."

This proposed new Clause is moved in substitution for an Amendment which I had on the Paper to Clause 122. I have received an intimation that the Government will accept it. I am glad to say that the proposed Clause has the full approval of the Association of Municipal Corporations. Under Clause 76 we have put upon members of local authorities the duty of disclosing any interest they may have in contracts and the object of this new Clause is to put a similar duty on officers of local authorities. It is thought not to be right in principle that this duty which is put upon members of an authority should not at the same time be placed upon the officers.

6.52 p.m.

Sir H. YOUNG

This new Clause has been explained by my hon. and learned Friend. I have gone into it very carefully with the representatives of the association concerned, and I can accept it.

Clause added to the Bill.