Lords Sitting of 3 November 1943

Preamble
The House met, The LORD CHANCELLOR on the Woolsack.

PERSONAL EXPLANATION BY LORD STRABOLGI.
LORD STRABOLGI: My Lords, I crave your indulgence to make a personal statement regarding some remarks of mine in the debate in your Lordships' House on October 20, on the subject of the food situation in India, initiated by my noble friend Lord Huntingdon. I then said:
"I have here a telegram received yesterday morning in answer to a cable sent by a friend of mine to … the special correspondent of Reuter in New Delhi."
I should have said that a copy of Reuter's latest cable was obtained for me by a friend of mine. The cable came through the ordinary news service of Reuter, and was obtained through the regular Press channels in London by my friend, who is in that profession. My words might appear to mean that a private cable had been sent by Reuter's representative, and this would be against professional etiquette. I have been asked by Reuter's to put the matter right, and am glad to take this opportunity of doing so, as I should regret to be the cause of any misunderstanding about the actions of one of the representatives of this great institution.

TRUSTS.
LORD STRABOLGI: My Lords, I beg to ask the question standing in my name on the Paper.
[The question was as follows:
To ask His Majesty's Government, what action, if any, has been taken, following on the report of the Committee on Trusts, appointed by the Ministry of Reconstruction in February, 1918, and received on the 25th April, 1919.]
LORD TEMPLEMORE: My Lords, the action taken on the recommendations of the Committee was the passing of the Profiteering Act in 1919. This Act was mainly concerned with the prevention of
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profiteering during a period of inflation; it also charged the Board of Trade with the duty of obtaining information about the nature, extent and development of trusts and similar combinations. A number of reports were published. The Act lapsed in 1921.
LORD STRABOLGI: My Lords, I am much obliged to the noble Lord, but can he make it clear whether the Board of Trade still has this duty of obtaining information, or did the duty lapse with the Act in 1921.
LORD TEMPLEMORE: My Lords, I am not quite certain on that point, but I understand that the duty has lapsed with the Act.

TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING (INTERIM DEVELOPMENT) (SCOT LAND) BILL.
House in Committee (according to Order): Bill reported without amendment.
RENT OF FURNISHED HOUSES CONTROL (SCOTLAND) BILL.
House in Committee (according to Order): Bill reported without amendment.
INCOME TAX (EMPLOYMENTS) BILL.
The LORD CHANCELLOR acquainted the House that the Bill had been endorsed with a Certificate from the Speaker that it is a Money Bill within the meaning of the Parliament Act, 1911.

ADJOURNMENT: BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE.
LORD SNELL: My Lords, in moving the adjournment of the House, I should like to say that it had been expected that two Bills to which your Lordships were to be asked to give a Second Reading on the next sitting day would be received from another place to-day. It seems doubtful, however, whether they will be ready for your Lordship before the adjournment today, and I therefore suggest that a Motion should be put upon the Paper to suspend Standing Order No. XXXIX for the next sitting of your Lordships' House. I beg to move that the House do now adjourn.
Moved, That the House do now adjourn.—(Lord Snell.)
LORD ADDISON: My Lords, on that, may I ask, for information, what is involved?
LORD SNELL: It will mean taking the First and Second Readings together, on the next sitting day.
On Question, Motion agreed to.
House adjourned.