HC Deb 30 May 1935 vol 302 cc1344-5

5.3 p.m.

Sir S. HOARE

I beg to move, in page 210, line 34, after "shares," to insert "stock."

5.4 p.m.

Mr. C. WILLIAMS

May we have some light shed on this question—as well as on the general affairs of the House? In asking the Government to give some explanation of this, may I also ask you, Mr. Deputy-Speaker, whether we can have a little light in the Chamber or if candles can be brought in, if the hon. Member prefers that phrase

Mr. BUTLER

These Clauses, if amended, will correspond exactly to Clauses 113 and 114 and the insertion of the word "stock" brings the Burman and Indian Clauses into harmony. The reason why the Amendments are different from those in the Indian Clauses is that most of these words relating to the Burma Clause were put in on the Committee stage before they were put in for India.

Amendment agreed to.

Further Amendment made: In page 210, line 38, after "on," insert "or proposing to carry on."—[Sir S. Hoare.]>

Sir S. HOARE

I beg to move, in page 210, line 40, after "company," to insert: or the situation of its registered office, or the currency in which its capital or loan capital is expressed.

Mr. C. WILLIAMS

May we have a little explanation of this Amendment? This is a rather wider question and raises the subject of the situation of a registered office. It may happen that there are two registered offices, and I should like to know whether any difficulty would arise in that way. The Amendment goes on to deal with the question of the currency in which a company's capital or loan capital is expressed, and I am sure the Government would like to give us some explanation of it.

5.6 p.m.

The SOLICITOR-GENERAL(Sir Donald Somervell)

I am surprised that my hon. Friend who is such a diligent attender at these Debates has not observed the two previous explanations which have been given to the Committee on this point. It was originally raised by the hon. Member for Doncaster (Mr. Molson) who suggested that among the list of matters which should not be allowed to be made a basis of discriminatory legislation should be the place of the registered office and the currency in which the accounts of the company were kept. I then promised that we would give it consideration because it seemed reasonable that these matters should be added. We added them to the list so far as India is concerned on the Report stage, on one of the earlier days, and this is merely bringing the Burma Clause into line with the India Clause.

Mr. C. WILLIAMS

This is really carrying out a pledge which was given?

The SOLICITOR-GENERAL

The point was raised originally on the India Clause and the appropriate words were inserted there. This is bringing the corresponding Burma Clause into line with the India Clause. As the hon. Member attaches such importance to accuracy, I am sure that he would not expect me to accept the word "pledge" in a context where it did not exactly apply.

Amendment agreed to.

Two consequential Amendments made.

Amendments made: In page 211, line 13, after "from," insert "or preferential treatment in respect of."

In line 15, leave out "paragraph (b) of."—[Sir S. Hoare.]

Eight consequential Amendments made.