§ Amendment made: In page 14, line 31, leave out "have," and insert "has."—[Mr. Wedderburn.]
§ 8.36 p.m.
Mr. WedderburnI beg to move, in page 14, line 33, at the end, to insert:
(c) for making exemptions from all or any of the provisions of the scheme in respect of such classes of persons, and such activities, as may be specified in the scheme or determined by the board.At present, the Bill makes provision for any class or classes of persons engaged in the industry to be exempted from registration, either in the Commission's register or under marketing schemes, but no provision is made for the exemption of particular classes of sales effected by registered persons or particular classes of boats owned by them. It might be desirable for a board to be able to exempt, for example, certain classes of sales, without exempting entirely from the scheme the persons who effect such sales. This Amendment is designed to make that possible.
§ 8.37 p.m.
§ Mr. Garro JonesIs the hon. Gentleman quite satisfied that he has not gone too far in this proposal? He is empowering the board to exempt whole classes of producers. Surely that might conceivably be abused in the interests of some particular section represented on the board. I cannot think that the Minister is blind to this risk, and I do not propose to do more, at this late stage, than ask him to give his consideration to that.
Mr. WedderburnI do not think there is such a risk; but since the hon. Member asks me to consider it, I will certainly do so.
§ 8.38 p.m.
§ Mr. PetherickThe House has been very critical of this Bill, and quite properly so, during its various stages; but this Amendment I can wholly welcome. As one who doubts the inestimable boons which are to be conferred on the industry by this Bill, I think the more exemptions that are granted, the better. The less people are likely to be adversely affected by such schemes, the happier I shall be.
§ Amendment agreed to.