§ 11.21 p.m.
The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr. Anthony Boyle)I beg to move 1943 Amendment No. 1, in page 4, line 10, leave out from 'before' to 'it' in line 11 and insert '1st September 1974'.
Under the provisions of the Companies Acts mentioned in paragraph 10(1) of the schedule certain British companies may keep in another Commonwealth country a register of shareholders resident in that country. The sub-paragraph as it now stands provides that, during a period ending six months after the Bill is passed, a register kept in Bangladesh shall not be treated as improperly kept by reason only that it includes shareholders resident in Pakistan.
The Pakistan Bill as introduced in the House contained a corresponding provision giving a period of grace regarding the inclusion on a register kept in Pakistan of shareholders resident in Bangladesh, and the period would likewise have ended six months after the passing of the Pakistan Bill. But, as the House knows, the Government gave further consideration to that provision in the light of representations made when the Bill was before the Standing Committee and an amendment was put down which the House accepted on Report last night. The result of that amendment is that the period of grace under the corresponding provision of the Pakistan Bill ends on 1st September 1974.
The simple purpose of the amendment now put forward is to increase similarly the period of grace allowed by this provision of the Bangladesh Bill by providing that it will end on the same date, namely, 1st September 1974. I accordingly ask the House to approve this small amendment.
With your permission, Mr. Speaker, and that of the House I should like to say a few words before the Bangladesh Bill leaves this House. Last night the House dealt with what was basically a sad occasion, the Third Reading of the Pakistan Bill, made necessary by Pakistan's decision to leave the Commonwealth. Our task tonight is a happier one: to send on its way a Bill which takes account of Bangladesh having joined the Commonwealth as an independent sovereign State.
Bangladesh was born in blood and fire. The events of 1971 brought tragedy to the sub-continent and deep distress to the many people in this country who 1944 take an interest in the area and wish to see it prosper. But this is all in the past; nothing can be more sterile than recrimination and the attempt to apportion blame. I am sure the whole House will wish to join me in expressing the hope that a peaceful settlement may soon be achieved in the sub-continent and that all the three countries there, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, may be able to live together in peace, friendship and harmony. We for our part wish to have friendly relations with all three countries.
But this Bill deals not only with Britain's relations with Bangladesh but also with the status of Bangladesh citizens in this country. Over the years a large number of people from Bangladesh have come to live in this country and have made a valuable contribution to our economic and cultural life. Hitherto they have enjoyed Commonwealth citizenship in this country only by virtue of the fact that they have remained citizens of Pakistan. With the passage of this Bill they will acquire the status of Commonwealth citizenship on the basis of their citizenship of Bangladesh.
I should, therefore, like to conclude by expressing to the State of Bangladesh, and to the citizens of Bangladesh in this country, our very best wishes for a peaceful and prosperous future.
§ Amendment agreed to.
§ Bill accordingly read the Third time and passed.