§ 49. Mr. CHIOZZA MONEYasked the Prime Minister if his attention has been directed to the growth of the practice of legislation by reference, as instanced by the current case of the Criminal Law Amendment Act; and whether he can see his way to support an amendment of the Standing Orders in order to give effect to the suggestion made by the hon. Member for East Northamptonshire in the proposed new Standing Order, now on the Order Paper, which seeks to secure the explanation of a Bill and all its references upon its first introduction to the House?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe practice of legislation by reference is easy to deprecate, but, under modern conditions, difficult to check. I will consider my hon. Friend's suggestion, but at present I do not see my way to propose such a drastic amendment of the Standing Orders.
§ Viscount CASTLEREAGHMay I ask how he proposes to amend existing Standing Orders when he has done his best to destroy the whole basis on which Standing Orders and Rules of Procedure exist?