§ 46. Sir H. Williamsasked the Prime Minister whether he will issue instructions to prevent the future publication of any documents similar to the loose-gummed corrigendum slip headed S.R. and 0. 1943, No. 766, purporting to correct the Braces (Manufacture and Supply) Direction, 1943, and which bears neither date, validating signature, nor the imprint of His Majesty's Stationery Office?
§ The Prime MinisterThe use of a corrigendum slip in connection with a Statutory Rule and Order should be confined to the correction of any accidental discrepancy between the Order made and the printed copies issued by the Stationery Office. Great care is already taken to prevent such mistakes, but it is not possible, especially under war conditions, 891 to preclude altogether the possibility of accidental error in connection with the reproduction of these documents.
§ Sir H. WilliamsIs my right hon. Friend aware that in this case the corrigendum slip was issued separately, the original document was issued without it, and accordingly citizens may not know what the law is? Further, is it satisfactory that a document purporting to be part of the law should be issued without signature and without the imprint of His Majesty's Stationery Office?
§ The Prime MinisterSir, I have admitted error.
§ Commander Locker-LampsonDoes not this duplication of documents mean that we ought to ration one commodity which, if we do not ration it, may mean that we may lose the war? May we ration red tape?