§ In any prosecution brought under this Act any person charged with selling or letting on hire a work to which this Act applies shall be entitled to argue that he was unaware of the nature of the work he was selling or letting on hire and no conviction against such a person under this Act shall be possible if this claim is established to the satisfaction of the court.—[Mr. Foot.]
§ Brought up and read the First time.
§ Mr. FootI beg to move, That the Clause be read a Second time.
I shall not take up much time because I never like to push at an open door. This is a rare occasion for me. The hon. Gentleman said that he was willing to see whether some protection could be provided for the newsagent or bookseller. Although he did not definitely promise, he said he would look at this before the Report stage and I should not like to upset things at all. I hope that, as he promised, the hon. Gentleman will look carefully at this and come back, on Report, a wiser, more magnanimous and more liberal man than when he came into the general proceedings. I am sure that that is the spirit in which he would like to deal with the matter; that is how I should like it dealt with. I therefore beg to ask leave to withdraw the Motion.
Motion and Clause, by leave, withdrawn.
Bill reported, with Amendments; as amended to be considered Tomorrow; and to be printed. [Bill 671