§ MR. J. HERBERT LEWIS (Flint Boroughs)I beg to ask the Attorney General whether, having regard to the recent rapid growth of the practice of legislating by reference, and to the difficulty of understanding the scope and effect of Bills which amend or repeal sections of Acts by reference to such sections, the Government will, for the information of the House, cause copies of the sections referred to in Government Bills to be printed in full?
SIR R. WEBSTERThe Question is not one on which I can give any general undertaking, as it must depend on the 1084 nature of the Bill and the discretion of the Minister in charge. Her Majesty's Government fully appreciate the objections to legislation by reference, but, in my opinion, the House of Commons must bear more responsibility for the change than the Ministers who have introduced Bills, to whatever Government they may have belonged.