HC Deb 28 January 1954 vol 522 cc2029-31
The Chairman

I gathered from my predecessor that there would be no discussion on the Amendment in page 8, line 8, to end, to insert: agreement" includes a loan or other advance of money to the manager or the body providing the canteen from a brewer or other wholesale vendor of intoxicating liquor or mineral waters. I understood that it was to be taken with a previous Amendment in Clause 2, page 2, line 4.

Mr. Ede

I did not gather, Sir Charles, that that was what was said. I did ask the Joint Under-Secretary a question on it. This Amendment was put down merely to get information with regard to definition, but I did not understand that there was to be no discussion on it.

The Chairman

The instruction which I had on taking the Chair was that this Amendment was discussed with an earlier Amendment.

Mr. Ede

Somewhat to my surprise, the only two that were taken together were Clause 2. page 2, line 4, and Clause 4, page 3, line 27. Those were the two that were discussed together.

The Chairman

I understood that the Amendments were to be taken together and that a Division could be taken on this Amendment if so desired.

Mr. George Chetwynd (Stockton-on-Tees)

I think that my right hon. Friend did ask for a definition but that no reply was given from the benches opposite.

Sir D. Maxwell Fyfe

I do not know if you would allow me, Sir Charles, very informally to say just a word about this. I do not want anyone to be dissatisfied. I did consider the meaning of "agreement" and I think an agreement undefined would be covered as well as an agreement expressed and defined. I am grateful to you, Sir Charles, for allowing me to mention that, because I would not like anyone to go away with doubts on the matter.

Sir D. Maxwell Fyfe

I beg to move, in page 8, line 10, to leave out "fifth day of April," and to insert "first day of July."

This Amendment alters the date on which the Bill is to take effect in England and Wales. Clause 12 (2), as the Committee will appreciate, fixes as the appointed day on which Defence Regulation 60AA will be repealed and the first new licences under the Bill are to come into force, 5th April, 1954, in England and Wales, and 28th May in Scotland. These are obviously suitable dates because they mark the beginning of the licensing year, when the renewal of ordinary licences takes place. As the Committee will know, the Bill came from another place and, when it was introduced, it was hoped that it would reach the Statute Book before now. That has not been possible, so we have had to consider the position in view of the dates of Brewster Sessions. I can go into all the technicalities if the House wishes, but I know that the right hon. Gentleman opposite is very familiar with these matters and I do not think that I need occupy the time of the House.

The proposed Amendment will accordingly defer the appointed day for England and Wales from 5th April to 1st July. That should give the managers of all existing canteens a reasonable opportunity to apply for new licences either at Brewster Sessions or at Transfer Sessions before Defence Regulation 60AA is repealed. It is not necessary to do this in Scotland, because the licensing year begins later there and there will be-enough time for existing canteens to get their licences before 28th May provided —and I hope that the House will co-operate in this—that the Bill receives the Royal Assent more than 21 days before the 9th March.

Amendment agreed to.

Clause, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.