HC Deb 03 November 1954 vol 532 cc401-3
Mr. Willey

I beg to move, in page 10, line 3, to leave out from "regulations," to the end of line 7.

On this occasion, also, I am in a less controversial vein. I can assure the Parliamentary Secretary that the purpose of the Amendment is to obtain an explanation of the purpose of the words which it seeks to omit. I appreciate at once that the word "may" is mentioned, although we are in some trepidation lest, on the Report stage, we may find that "may" is left out and "shall" is put in. At the moment it is only discretionary, and I merely ask why permission is made for possible exemption.

Dr. Hill

Clause 9 provides that street traders may be licensed. It is clearly desirable that in such licensing careful attention should be paid to the storage of food by street traders. The intention is that where the storage position is amply covered by licensing there is no need for the separate registration of the premises as such.

Mr. Willey

In view of the Parliamentary Secretary's explanation, I beg to ask leave to withdraw the Amendment.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Clause stand part of the Bill."

Mr. Donald Chapman (Birmingham, Northfield)

Before we part with the Clause, can the Parliamentary Secretary say what the Government have in mind in subsection (1, a)? Many of us have considerable doubts about the way in which many perishable foods, subject to infection by flies, are still exposed on stalls. I was wondering whether, at this stage, the Parliamentary Secretary would care to say what the Government are going to recommend or issue as a code for guidance to local authorities in making regulations governing stalls.

Dr. Hill

I think I should detain the Committee too long if I said very much on this matter. The power is needed to make regulations covering this particular aggravation of the general problem. Bearing in mind the special hazards in relation to certain foods, and as they are aggravated in the circumstances contemplated in subsection (1, b), it was thought that there should be ad hoc regulations directed towards the particular problem.

Mr. Mitchison

I am a little puzzled. Section 14 of the original Act provides for the registration of premises and, of course, one would say off-hand that premises did not include vehicles, stalls and other places, which are what we are trying to consider here. According to the definition in the Bill, premises apparently includes land. I should have thought it doubtful whether, in those circumstances, this provision was necessary. Perhaps the Solicitor-General would tell us why it is necessary.

Clause ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Mr. Mitchison

On a point of order. May we have a reply to the question I have just asked, Sir Rhys?

The Deputy-Chairman (Sir Rhys Hopkin Morris)

I have nothing to do with that. I have already put the Question.

Mr. Mitchison

We ought to hear something about it.