HC Deb 26 June 1934 vol 291 cc1076-7

9.27 p.m.

Mr. WHITE

I beg to move, in page 6, line 12, to leave out "Reprisals."

This word is not in keeping with the decorous and moderate terms in which this Bill has been argued in the House. When I first read the Title of the Bill, I was shocked to see this word, which has never appeared in the Title of any other Bill introduced into this House. Reprisals are strictly in keeping with the times and the conduct of business to-day. Trade no longer is a peaceful arrangement, but a matter of economic warfare. There has been no phrase or expression used in the course of the discussion on this Bill in any sense provocative. The whole tone has been one of anxiety to come to an agreement, to avoid the enforcing of the proposals in this Bill. I think the most provocative phrase consisted of two words which fell from the Financial Secretary last night, when he said that this Bill completed our armoury. That is strictly in keeping with the kind of powers existing to-day for trade. The word "reprisals" is a precedent, and I invite-the Government to remove it from the Bill.

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

I do not attach the slightest importance or objection to the word "reprisals."

Amendment agreed to.

9.29 p.m.

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

I beg to move, in page 6, line 12, at the end, to add: (2) This Act shall continue in force until the thirtieth day of June, nineteen hundred and thirty-six, and no longer provided that the expiring of this Act shall not affect the previous operation thereof or any Order made thereunder or any obligation or liability previously incurred under this Act or any such Order or the taking of any steps or the institution or carrying on of any proceeding to enforce any such obligation or liability. I move this Amendment to carry out an undertaking I gave earlier in the evening to limit the operation of the Bill to two years. The Amendment also contains a proviso which is necessary.

Captain CROOKSHANK

On a point of Order. Should not this be a new Clause—not an Amendment to the short Title?

The DEPUTY-CHAIRMAN (Captain Bourne)

The practice of this House in many Acts has been to put limiting powers into the short Title Clause.

9.31 p.m.

Sir S. CRIPPS

We are thankful to the Chancellor of the Exchequer for this Amendment. I gather that the new words to be inserted will bring about a state of affairs, if an Order is made, where all debts accruing up to the date of the Order will be liable to pay the quota, and that everything that has been put down regarding these debts after the termination of the Act under the provision just brought forward, provides that the determining factor will be whether the debt arises before the termination of the Act.

Amendment agreed to.