HC Deb 07 September 1939 vol 351 cc596-8

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Clause stand part of the Bill."

4.3 p.m.

Mr. Gallacher

I want to make it a responsibility for the pawnbroker, where the owner redeems a pledge on goods damaged as a result of war, to supply to the owner, on the redeeming of the pledge, a statement based upon the pawnbroker's liability, so that the owner would be in a position, if there was an opportunity of making a claim, to make it. It is very desirable that where damaged goods are being recovered and the loan on them is being repaid such an estimate of value should be handed to the owner by the pawnbroker.

4.4 p.m.

The Solicitor-General

I do not think that that would be an appropriate addition to the Bill. It might be a very appropriate addition to the Pawnbrokers Act. Let me try to make clear to the hon. Member what T think would probably be the case. He is assuming that at some time or other the owner of the pledged goods will be able to get compensated by the Government. Suppose that someone has deposited a watch and chain, and the chain is destroyed but the watch remains. The amount advanced on both was £10. As I have explained, I think I am right in saying that there is an easy method, under the Pawnbrokers Act of 1872, by which the owner of the articles can find out their full value. It would mean the adding up of the three figures I have already mentioned. He is able no doubt to obtain from the pawnbroker a receipt for the amount of the pledge. It is not necessary to have a provision in this Bill to enable the owner to obtain that from the pawnbroker. No doubt the receipt would vouch for the fact that the owner did not receive the chain back. It seems to me that that is all the material the owner wants in order to make a claim for what he has lost, and I do not think that any specific provision in this Bill will be necessary.

4.6 p.m.

Mr. Gallacher

This is not a question of a watch and chain. It is a very common practice in many working-class districts for people to pledge boots and shoes and clothes and all sorts of things. In ordinary circumstances it is quite possible that if these goods were damaged the owners would not want to have them back, but in present circumstances it may be very difficult to get new boots and shoes and owners may even want to redeem their pledged clothes or shoes, even though they were damaged. It seems to me that it would be simple to insert in the Bill a provision that in the circumstances the broker should provide them with an estimate with the amount of the damage done.

The Chairman

If any Amendment of that kind were moved, I would have to rule it out of order on this Bill. As the learned Solicitor-General has said, it would be an attempt to amend the Pawnbrokers Act and that would not be within the scope of this Bill.

Question, "That the Clause stand part of the Bill," put, and agreed to.