§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Clause stand part of the Bill."
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsThis 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 Do I understand that there is no provision in the Bill whereby a licence can be withdrawn if an offence has been committed?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. LytteltonI 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. LytteltonThe 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 Probably a small mistake would be overlooked, but, if the first mistake was a grave one, the licence could be withdrawn.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.