HC Deb 27 May 1941 vol 371 cc1750-1
The Attorney-General

I beg to move, in page 23, line 29, to leave out, "commencement," and to insert "passing."

I will deal with this Amendment and the remaining Amendments on the Order Paper together, since all of them arise from the same point. In the Committee we were asked whether we could expedite the date on which the Bill would come into operation, which was 1st July. It was thought that if something of that sort were not done, in the interval people might get judgments and prejudice decisions. It was impracticable to bring Part I into operation sooner, because there are a number of rather complex matters to be dealt with by rule, and the officers must be appointed and familiarise themselves with their duties. We thought that the point could be met substantially by bringing Part II into operation immediately on the passing of the Act. Part 11 is the part which makes the Courts (Emergency Powers) Act procedure apply to post-war contracts. Therefore, if people try to jump in and get judgments, they will have to resort to the courts, and the courts will say that the cases are obviously ones in which the machinery of this Bill will be appropriate when the time comes.

Amendment agreed to

Further Amendments made:

In page 24, line 8, after "made," insert "or entered into."

In line 25, leave out "commencement," and insert "passing."—[The Attorney-General.]