HC Deb 26 June 1941 vol 372 c1148

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

Mr. Ness Edwards

This Clause provides for the issuing of a licence. Do I understand that there is no provision in the Bill whereby a licence can be withdrawn if an offence has been committed?

Mr. R. C. Morrison (Tottenham, North)

The Clause prohibits the retail by a wholesaler of goods purchased by a wholesaler. With the Co-operative Wholesale Society there is a good deal of business done on a system known as "invoicing through. "That is to say, goods may be ordered by a retail society through the Co-operative Wholesale Society, who invoice the goods through. I wondered whether that practice, which has obtained for a very long time, would be affected by the Clause.

Mr. Lyttelton

I think not. With regard to re-sale, the Board of Trade has power to withdraw the licence and, consequently, to put the trader out of business.

Mr. James Hall (Whitechapel)

Has the Board of Trade taken power to cancel those licences on the first offence, or must the offence be proved before action is taken?

Mr. Lyttelton

The Board of Trade need not give any reason at all. Probably a small mistake would be overlooked, but, if the first mistake was a grave one, the licence could be withdrawn.

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