35. Mr. Gresham Cookeasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why cheques drawn on Government account require endorsement by the payee despite the provisions of the Cheques Act, 1957, and contrary to usual practice.
Mr. AmoryIn the matter of endorsements, cheques drawn by Government Departments are treated in the same way as other cheques; but Section 3 of the Cheques Act, 1957, does not apply to payable orders and similar instruments used by Government Departments for certain types of payment, and these must still be signed by the payee.
Mr. Gresham CookeIs my right hon. Friend aware that the other day I received a payable order from the Fees Office which needed endorsement? If these payable orders do not come under Section 4 of the Cheques Act, will he consider amending the Act so as to bring this into line with ordinary commercial practice?
Mr. AmoryIn reply to the first part of my hon. Friend's Question, I congratulate him. As to the other parts of his Question, there are many purposes for which the signature of the payee is essential, and the recommendation of the Committee on Cheque Endorsement was that Government orders should be excluded from the legislation at that time proposed. I think I can assure my hon. Friend, however, that I will watch the situation to see, in the light of experience, how our present arrangements are working out.
§ Mr. HaleWould the Chancellor of the Exchequer bear in mind that at any rate on this side there are many of us who would be very willing indeed to endorse cheques? I personally would endorse as many as he cared to send me.