Order for consideration, as amended, read.

2.55 P.m.

I beg to move: That the Bill be re-committed to a Committee of the whole House in respect of the Amendments to Clause 43, page 40, line 26; Clause 46, page 43, line 18 and Clause 46, page 43, line 46, standing on the Notice Paper in my name, and in respect of Clause 6g. The reason for this is that it has been suggested that possibly one of these Amendments might cause an extra charge. I think it is a possibility, and I suggest that when we get into Committee it would be convenient to consider all the Amendments together and to deal with all the points at once.

I fully agree with the advice given by the President of the Board of Trade and I hope that we can get on with the Bill.

May I ask a question in regard to Clause 69? Will it be possible for that Clause to be discussed fully in all its implications and may we ask questions about it—or may I ask some questions now and have an answer?

Yes, the appropriate Clause will be before the Committee at the appropriate time.

Bill immediately considered in Committee.

[MAJOR MILNER in the Chair.]

On a point of Order. I think the most convenient way of proceeding would be if we were to deal with all these Amendments on the Order Paper on recommittal at the same time so that I may be able to make a general statement in regard to them. I hope that we shall be able to cover all the points. If hon. Members feel that that is not convenient, then we will proceed, taking them one by one.

I think myself that the course suggested would be convenient. If there is any objection, it is a matter for the Committee. These Amendments more or less hang together.

I think, Major Milner, that on consideration the Committee will see that these are all points dealing with the question of Clause 46. They all turn on one general argument. Therefore, if we take them together we could take the general argument as a whole but we could take a separate vote.

On a point of Order. As I understand it, there are one or two Amendments to proposed Amendments. Of course, it depends on the Chair whether they are called, but it would help us if we knew whether or not they are likely to be called, if it is possible to be told at this time. They are separate Amendments and it would help us to know whether we might have a discussion on them or whether the whole matter must be discussed as one.

It seems to me that the first Amendment —in Clause 43, page 40, to leave out lines 26 and 27—deals with quite a different point from the other Amendments. While there appears to be no objection to con- sidering the other Amendments together, there seems to be a certain objection to taking the first one with them. It appears to deal with an entirely separate point and, though I may be wrong, I feel that if we try to take them together we shall take up much more time than if we we dealt with that one separately.