This, I presume, is the operative section in respect of the Schedule. I expect that when we come to the Schedule, the ruling will be that the matter is already decided or something equivalent to it. There are financial measures proposed in the Schedule, under the heading of proposal 2, and the term "intermemediaries" occurs in paragraph 6. I should like to know whether any arrangements have been made with banking houses or financial houses, if there are financial houses in this country, as to co-operation in the working of this Bill. There are in Section 5, some rather severe penalties to which persons who infringe this Act may be liable. There is a fine in one case not exceeding £100 on summary conviction or imprisonment for any term not exceeding six months or both such fine and imprisonment. Paragraph (b) says:—
On conviction thereof on indictment, to a fine of such amount as the court shall think proper, or at the discretion of the court to imprisonment for any term not exceeding two years or to penal servitude for any term not exceeding seven years, or to both such fine and such imprisonment or penal servitude.
As to whether it is the intention to carry out the provisions of the Act and to convict and inflict the penalty for any offence against the Act, we are not given any information and we would like some. If the intention be to effect the purposes for which the Bill has been passed, then obviously some co-operation or arrangement should be arrived at by persons who are engaged in the particular classes of business, commerce or finance, involved in these cases. I think the House is entitled to know whether, in the first place, an examination of the problem has been made, whether arrangements have been made to facilitate the working of this Bill when it becomes an Act, and if steps have been taken to avoid prosecutions by perfecting the machinery that will be put into operation so as to prevent any evasion. Section 4, which we have not yet reached, deals with religious and humanitarian bodies or organisations. Now in another country there have been prosecutions against religious bodies. It is quite possible that in that country the intention was to have prosecutions. It is equally probable that the persons who have been prosecuted knew nothing of these Acts of Parliament. The passing of Acts of Parliament is a very onerous and very responsible task for those engaged in it, and it is not likely that the ordinary man in business takes particular note of the ramifications of Acts of Parliament, particularly such as these.
I would like to know whether any special precautions have been taken to ensure that innocent persons will not render themselves liable in these cases. The word "intermediaries" which, I suppose, is necessary in order to have perfect legislation is a very simple word to insert in a Bill, but does it follow that every bank manager or trader in the country must take precautions to know the exact destination of every commercial transaction that goes through to ensure that, by no possible devious method, no moneys will flow out of this country into the hands of Italians. I understand that there is a bank in this country which apparently has either the title or may be owned by Italians. Now, have any arrangements been come to in connection with that particular bank? I dislike very much the passing of legislation which imposes restrictions on business and which gives no notice to the persons concerned that these restrictions are being imposed.