HC Deb 09 December 1959 vol 615 cc698-9

When under subsection (5) of section ten of this Act the Board lays before Parliament a statement of accounts for a financial year, the Board shall lay with that statement a report on the discharge of the Board's functions under this Act (including the Board's functions under Part II of this Act and under the principal enactment mentioned in that Part) during that year.—[Mr. Jay.]

Brought up, and read the First time.

Mr. Jay

I beg to move, That the Clause be read a Second time.

The purpose of this Clause is very simple. When the Board of Trade is discharging the function we were discussing a short time ago, of making a statement of accounts before Parliament, it should at the same time lay a report on the discharge of its functions generally under the Act.

I am not in favour of laying too many paper obligations on the Board of Trade or any Government Department—most of them have plenty to do—but I think this is reasonable. We all agree that even more important than the powers we are giving the Government is the way in which they will carry them out. I think it reasonable that we should have a periodic statement as to how they have carried them out. The President of the Board of Trade will be aware that under the 1945 Act the Board of Trade accepted an obligation to make a report, I think it was at the end of three years. It seems reasonable that there should be a comparable obligation in this Bill.

Mr. Maudling

We have made a lot of progress recently in an atmosphere of harmony and I should be very sorry to spoil that harmonious atmosphere. [HON. MEMBERS: "0h."] Hon. Members should not groan so much. If they listened to their own speeches they would have something to groan about. I am quite prepared to accept the obligation to lay an annual report together with accounts. I should like the right hon. Member to allow me to look at the actual wording of the proposed new Clause. I think we shall have to change it a little, but I recognise that the request for an annual report and accounts seems eminently reasonable, and I accept it in principle.

Mr. Jay

Even though the harmony has its limits, we are grateful to that extent and I beg to ask leave to withdraw the Motion.

Motion and Clause, by leave, withdrawn.

Schedules 1 to 3 agreed to.

Bill reported, with Amendments; as amended, to be considered this day and to be printed. [Bill 47.]