HC Deb 11 July 1939 vol 349 cc2081-3

3.59 P.m.

The Minister without Portfolio (Mr. Burgin)

I beg to move, in page 23, line 9, at the end, to insert: or

  1. (iii) a contract for the supply of anything which is being acquired by the Crown under the Essential Commodities Reserves Act, 1938, if similar supplies are also being acquired by the Crown under contracts which are armament contracts by virtue of sub-paragraph (i) of this paragraph; or
  2. (iv) a contract for the supply of anything which is being acquired by the Crown otherwise than under the said Act as being something which would be essential for the needs of the community in the event of war."
This is the first of a series of Government Amendments intended to implement the undertakings given during the passage of the Bill in Committee. In defining the exact nature of an armament contract the draftsman inserted words partly general and partly very particular and when the matter was discussed in Committee two or three points arose. In taking steps to implement the undertaking given to the Committee with regard to food the draftsman has supplied words which cure another deficiency. The Committee will be aware that whilst this legislation has been before the House the Ministry of Supply Bill has also been advancing its stages. Under the Ministry of Supply Bill there is considerable power to acquire for the needs of the community in time of war.

I was anxious, therefore, that in any redrafting of the Clause which defines an armament contract we should be careful not only to include purchases under the Essential Commodities Reserves Act but also purchases under the Ministry of Supply Act when it becomes an Act. Therefore this Amendment is moved to insert two types of contracts which come within the armament definition: first, a contract for the supply of anything which is being acquired by the Crown under the Essential Commodities Reserves Act, if similar supplies are also being acquired by the Crown under contracts which are armament contracts by virtue of sub-paragraph (i). I pause to explain that. The Committee pointed out a number of types of food which in their judgment could probably come within the definition of armament contracts. Wherever food is purchased in bulk by one of the defence services that is automatically, under sub-paragraph (a), an armament contract.

The object of the first part of the Amendment I have moved, is to include contracts of food purchases under the Essential Commodities Reserves Act for reserves, provided that the type of substance which is being purchased is similar to a substance being purchased by the defence forces of the Crown under direct contract. The second part of the Amendment is to include Ministry of Supply purchases, and as the Ministry of Supply Bill is not yet an Act the proper wording is: for the supply of anything which is being acquired by the Crown otherwise than under the Essential Commodities Reserves Act as being something which would be essential for the needs of the community in the event of war. These matters are not simple to explain in easy language, but I hope that the Committee will allow me to give an assurance that this Amendment carries out an undertaking given at another stage and implements the promise then given

4.4 p.m.

Mr. Pethick-Lawrence

It will be remembered that in Committee we raised a considerable number of points because we thought that the Bill did not go far enough. Though we were not at all satisfied with the extensions which the right hon. Gentleman promised, we did take account of the promise he made, and so far as these benches are concerned it appears to us that the promise which the right hon. Gentleman made is implemented by the Amendment which he proposes. In the circumstances I need not take up any further time in discussing the matter.

Amendment agreed to.

Clause, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.