58. Colonel LAMBERT WARDasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the conclusion of Peace, he will consider the advisability of introducing legislation to repeal the Defence of the Realm Act, in view of the effect of this measure upon the trade of the country?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply which I gave yesterday to similar questions on this subject.
§ Mr. BILLINGWas not this essentially a war measure and would it not be better to consider the abolition of the Defence of the Realm Act and introduce a new Bill to deal with any powers which this House is not capable of dealing with in the ordinary way?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWIt is most essentially a war measure, but at the time it was passed the House recognised that it could not end immediately after the War. Arrangements are being made which will terminate it as soon as the date of the termination of the War is declared, but it may be necessary, as I said yesterday, by Statute to continue some of its provisions.
§ Mr. G. TERRELLIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that a Select Committee was appointed to go into the various Regulations with a view to advising the Government, and that that Committee came to an end with the Dissolution before it could report, and does ha propose to reappoint it?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI believe that the Committee did not report, but some use has been made of its work in the preliminary inquiries.