HC Deb 10 March 1953 vol 512 cc1224-6

8.45 p.m.

Mr. Low

I beg to move, in page 11, line 20, to leave out "that," and to insert "any such."

This is a small drafting Amendment necessitated after the Amendment made in Committee in the previous line to change "and" into "or." Now the word "or" appears, the word "that" does not make much sense and we therefore propose to substitute these words.

Amendment agreed to.

Mr. Low

I beg to move, in line 24, to leave out "and," and to insert "or, as the case may be."

This Amendment follows the advice given at the end of a short debate on this subsection by the hon. and learned Gentleman the Member for Kettering (Mr. Mitchison). We were advised that the words were all right, but we were rather inclined to agree with the hon. and learned Gentleman that the meaning of the words if they include "or, as the case may be" is slightly clearer. We therefore recommend to the House that they accept this alteration and we wish to express our gratitude to the hon. and learned Gentleman.

Amendment agreed to.

Mr. Low

I beg to move, in line 26, after "secured," to insert "within a reasonable time."

This is an addition to an Amendment that was made in Committee and during that debate, when we were discussing the Amendment moved by one of my hon. Friends, I think it was the hon. Member for Harrow, East (Mr. Ian Harvey), the hon. Member for Reading, South (Mr. Mikardo) pointed out that there seemed to be a loophole in the words and that it might be possible for the Board to be prevented from doing what they ought to do under this subsection by the feeling that at some time, perhaps after a long time, the industry could put matters right. Therefore, as my right hon. Friend promised, we have considered the matter carefully and we have come to the conclusion that to make clear what was our meaning and the meaning of the Committee in that discussion, we should insert these words.

Amendment agreed to.

Mr. Low

I beg to move, in line 37, to leave out "distribution," and to insert "sale."

I need not explain this to the House, because my right hon. Friend explained this fully during the Committee stage and in an earlier debate this afternoon we covered the point. Shortly, it is that the Board are not concerned with the allocation of finished steel and in so far as the word "distribution" includes both the meaning of sale and marketing and of positive allocation, we want to make it clear here that we are referring to the sale side only.

Mr. Mitchison

I hope that the hon. Gentleman will not consider me captious and will acquit me of any desire to overwork another place. I notice, however, that "distribution" occurs throughout subsection (1), and if some alteration is being made in subsection (2) perhaps it would be advisable to do the same in subsection (1).

Mr. Low

The point was covered earlier. Subsection (1) deals with raw materials, and subsection (2) with finished products. There is, therefore, a difference in the Board's attitude to these two matters. The raw materials are used by the steel industry, and the iron and steel products are to be used by people outside the industry.

Mr. Mitchison

This is a wholly exceptional case on the misguided view that the Government take of the Bill. I believe that for once the Parliamentary Secretary is absolutely right.

Amendment agreed to.

Mr. Low

I beg to move, in line 45, after "is," to insert "or will shortly become."

It is not necessary to explain the the Amendment very fully because the whole question was discussed during the Committee stage. After considering various alternative forms of words, we think that "or will shortly become" meet the views which I expressed and the point which I put to the Committee. The Amendment is intended to qualify the wards, unless it appears to the Board or, as the case may be, to the Minister. … in lines 41 and 42.

Amendment agreed to.

Clause 12.—(PROVISION OF FUNDS FOR

BOARD.)

Mr. Simon

I beg to move, in page 13, line 27, to leave out "the said scheme," and to insert: a scheme made under this section. This is a small drafting Amendment. The Clause provides for funds for the Board to be got from the industry by means of a levy. Subsection (6) provides the machinery for collecting those funds by providing that The amount of any contribution payable by any person under the said scheme shall be a debt due by him to the Board. Subsection (7) provides for extension, confirmation or modification of any such scheme.

As the Clause is drafted, however, there is no machinery for collecting the contribution under an extended or modified scheme. The "said scheme" only refers to what has been foregoing and not to what comes after. The Amendment is designed to ensure that any contribution under an original scheme or a modified scheme shall be a debt to the Board.

Mr. Robson Brown

I beg to second the Amendment.

Mr. Sandys

As I said, two flaws have been discovered. As we hoped that this would be an agreed all-party Measure, it is right, proper and fitting that two hon. and learned Gentlemen from either side of the House should have contributed in this way to put matters right. We are very glad to accept the Amendment.

Amendment agreed to.