HC Deb 15 August 1907 vol 180 cc1745-7

1. (1) "At least forty days before making any statutory rules to which this section applies notice of the proposal to make the rules, and the place where copies of the draft rules may be obtained, shall be published in the London Gazette. (2) "During those forty days any public body may obtain copies of such draft rules on payment of not exceeding threepence per folio, and any representations or suggestions made in writing by a public body interested to the authority proposing to make the rules shall be taken into consideration by that authority before finally settling the rules; and on the expiration of those forty days the rules may be made by the rulemaking authority, either as originally drawn or as amended by such authority, and shall come into operation forthwith or at such time as be prescribed in the rules. The fullest consideration would be given to any representations that were made upon the Rules. He pointed out that it would be impossible in the case of emergency to lay Rules for forty days. Hon. Gentlemen opposite would see that that would defeat the whole object.

MR. MOORE

said he merely wished to ask whether Englishmen and Scotsmen were to be protected from poisoning, while Irishmen were not. The right hon. Gentleman had made no reply to the suggestion that the new clause should include the Dublin Gazette.

MR. JOHN BURNS

said he would be pleased to consider that point between then and the Report stage, and if the Act of 1895 applied to Ireland he would see what could be done.

MR. MOORE

said he could assure the right hon. Gentleman that the Act of 1895 did apply to Ireland.

MR. CLAUDE HAY

said he was very disappointed that, because in the past the Local Government Board had pursued a bad policy of issuing the Regulations without Parliament having any control, the argument should be adduced that that practice ought to be continued. The matter they were dealing with was one by which the health of the people and certain industries were vitally affected. He wished to know whether the President of the Local Government Board would between then and the Report stage try so to amend the new clause as to provide words which would give him power to act before the forty days had elapsed in the event of an emergency arising. Would he also preserve the control and power of Parliament so far as he could, so that they might be able to discuss the Regulations?

MR. JOHN BURNS

said he would be pleased to consider the point suggested by the hon. Member. If after five or six months experience of the Regulations the House desired to have an opportunity of discussing them and a demand was made for the Local Government Board Vote or a portion of it to be taken he would do his best to see that it was acceded to. Parliament might think it was necessary that special consideration should be given to that subject and if so he would do his best to meet their wishes.

Question put, and agreed to.

Clause read a second time, and added to the Bill.

THE DEPUTY-SPEAKER

took the Chair and the Bill was reported, with Amendments, to the House.

Bill reported; as amended, to be considered to-morrow (Friday).