HC Deb 23 October 1953 vol 518 cc2303-4

11.30 a.m.

Mr. H. Strauss

I beg to move, in page 13, line 43, after "property," to insert "seized from Germany."

There are six Government Amendments to Clause 11, and I think it would be for the general convenience of the House if we dealt at the same time with those in page 13, line 46, in page 14, line 20, and in page 14, line 22. All these Amendments relate to a point which the hon. and learned Member for Leicester, North-East (Sir L. Ungoed-Thomas) was good enough to bring to our attention in Committee, when he pointed out that there was a rather strange phrase "as property seized from Germany." My hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General at once said that this phrase had no sinister significance, but that there was probably a fault in the drafting. I think that the Government Amendments now put forward will, taken together, do what the hon. and learned Gentleman suggested ought to be done.

Sir L. Ungoed-Thomas

I am grateful to the hon. and learned Gentleman for putting down the Amendments.

Amendment agreed to.

Mr. Strauss

I beg to move, in page 13, line 43, to leave out from "time," to "imported," in line 45, and to insert "within the war period."

This Amendment deals with other points which the hon. and learned Gentleman opposite raised in Committee, when he pointed out quite rightly that this Clause somewhat exceptionally extends to a later date than the end of the war period. He asked why that was so, and my hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General explained why it was necessary in the case of securities. The hon. and learned Gentleman replied that it applied perfectly properly to the purposes which my hon. and learned Friend had mentioned, but asked why it was necessary to have this somewhat extended provision in other cases; in other words, while it was proper to cover mat case with a later date, was it really necessary for the Clause as a whole? We promised to look into it, and we have come to the conclusion that we could meet the suggestion of the hon. and learned Member on that point by making the same period apply in every case except the particular case explained by my hon. and learned Friend on the last occasion.

Sir L. Ungoed-Thomas

Again, we welcome these Amendments, and we are obliged to the Government for putting them down.

Amendment agreed to.

Further Amendments made: In page 13, line 46, leave out "as property seized from Germany."

In page 14, line 13, at end, insert: (2) The last foregoing subsection shall have effect in relation to bearer certificates, and in relation to sterling currency (in the form of notes or coins), as if the war period had continued up to, and ended with, the passing of this Act; and, in the application of that sub-section to bearer certificates, the references in paragraphs (a) and (b) to the property shall be construed as references both to the certificates and to the securities to which the certificates related. In this subsection the expressions "bearer certificate" and "securities" gave the same meanings as in the Exchange Control Act, 1947.

In line 20, after "was," insert "seized from Germany and was."

In line 22, leave out "as property seized from Germany."—[Mr. H. Strauss.]