HC Deb 25 July 1947 vol 440 cc1808-9

Lords Amendment: In page r, line 37, at end insert: A notice issued by a competent authority in pursuance of powers delegated to that authority shall state that it is so issued.

1.57 p.m.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade (Mr. Belcher)

I beg to move, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment."

This Amendment fulfils a promise which I made on the Report stage. Members opposite had moved an Amendment having the same effect as these words, and I promised that while we could not then accept it we would bring forward an Amendment, at a later stage, which would have the same effect. Hon. Members opposite wished to ensure that when the competent authority under the Bill was acting under delegated powers it should be made clear that it was so doing. This Amendment does make that clear.

Mr. Manningham-Buller (Daventry)

I would like to thank the hon. Gentleman for the way in which he has met this point, which is of some importance. The persons concerned with the notice may know now under what Statute and authority the particular Government Department is seeking to act. This Amendment particularly meets our point and fulfils the undertaking given by the hon. Gentleman, and, therefore, we desire merely to express our thanks to the Government for it.