HC Deb 05 June 1947 vol 438 cc512-3
The Solicitor-General

I beg to move, in page 61, line 10, at the end, to insert: the time at which any use thereof was begun or will become fully effective. This Amendment, and the next succeeding Amendment, are designed to meet a point which was argued by hon. Members opposite during the Committee stage. Hon. Members sought to obtain some kind of limit to the time, either in the future or in the past, by reference to which the information specified in paragraph (c) of Clause 75 (1) could be required. The Parliamentary Secretary, in replying to the Debate in Committee, undertook to consider this particular argument, and, as a result of this reconsideration, we have placed these Amendments on the Order Paper.

Hon. Members will observe that the Amendments really accomplish two things. They entitle the Minister to inquire both a year back and a year forward, but, at the same time, they introduce, as it were, a sort of cushion enabling him to ask the time by which any use was begun, and will become fully effective, the emphasis being laid upon the word "fully", in various types of agricultural produce. There may be an importance attaching to the first period by reference to which one can say that produce becomes really mature produce, as distinct from being in the incipient growing stage. I think the Amendments do meet the substance of the arguments put by hon. Gentlemen opposite, and I hope the House will approve.

Amendment agreed to.

Further Amendment made: In page 61, line 11, to leave out from first "produce," to end, and insert at any time during the period beginning one year before, and ending one year after, the time at which the information is required to be furnished."—[The Solicitor-General.]

The Solicitor-General

I beg to move, in page 61, line 25, after "or," to insert "employed by the occupier."

This, again, is a concession to arguments advanced by hon. Gentlemen opposite on the Committee stage. The apprehension was expressed, with regard to line 25, that the inquiry might really range over far too wide a scope, and the Minister was pressed to introduce wording which should make it perfectly clear that, with regard to those persons engaged in the disposal of produce, the inquiry should only relate to employees of the actual producer. It was argued that, under the wording of the Clause as it stood, there was no such limitation, and that the inquiry might range over employees who had no connection with the producer of the produce in question. I hope the House will approve of this Amendment, which is introduced to meet the wishes of hon. Members opposite.

Amendment agreed to.