HC Deb 27 November 1919 vol 121 cc1899-900
89. Mr. GWYNNE

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will arrange in future that Orders in Council and Regulations, which under various Acts of Parliament have to lie upon the Table of the House for a specified number of days, shall be printed and circulated to Members as soon as they are laid, to avoid difficulties such as arose over the Regulations of the Housing, Town Planning, etc., Act, when Members were in ignorance of their provisions and unable to obtain copies of the Regulations in the Vote Office?

Mr. BONAR LAW (Leader of the House)

In view of the expense which it would involve, I am afraid I cannot recommend the adoption of my hon. Friend's suggestion.

Mr. GWYNNE

How does the right hon. Gentleman propose to inform the House when the Orders are laid on the Table?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I have made inquiries. I think I am right in saying there are six copies which hon. Members can see. I think it would be a waste of money to print and circulate them with the paper.

Mr. GWYNNE

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that hon. Members' attention is called to the fact when these documents are laid on the Table?

Mr. BONAR LAW

If the hon. Member means that something shall be done to notify Members of the fact that the documents are laid, I think that is reasonable and I will see what is possible.