§ Mr. CLYNES(by Private Notice) asked the Home Secretary whether he 539 can now state the decision of the Government in regard to the terms and continuance of the Emergency Regulations.
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI have carefully considered whether it would be possible to regard the recent emergency as at an end, but I am advised that until by district agreements or other means a much larger proportion of men is in work than at present, it would be inadvisable to dispense with Emergency Regulations.
The Government therefore propose to ask the House to pass them to-morrow in their present form, but I am authorised to say that at the earliest possible moment such Regulations as may be no longer needed will be revoked by Order-in-Council.
§ Mr. LEEIs the Home Secretary aware that the extra police, as far as Derbyshire is concerned, are all cleared out?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI am glad to hear that, and I congratulate Derbyshire on the fact.
§ Sir HENRY SLESSERHas the right hon. Gentleman satisfied himself that there is any power to revoke these Regulations by Order-in-Council?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI am satisfied, and my legal advisers take that view, but if the hon. and learned Member can convince me that it is not legal to do so, I shall he glad to discuss the matter with him and, if necessary, I will ask for a Resolution of the House, but I do not think that will be necessary.
§ Mr. LAWSONAre we to take it that the only relaxations in this matter are to be for people who are making fortunes out of plundering the consumers?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThe Regulations for the distribution of coal will certainly continue.
§ Mr. BATEYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that Friday is a short day, and that there will not be sufficient time to discuss the Regulations?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI think if we all exercise a self-denying ordinance we shall have time.
§ Mr. SEXTONWill the right hon. Gentleman endeavour to enforce his own Regulation dealing with the fixing of the price of coal?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThe enforcing of the Regulations relating to coal rests with my hon. and gallant Friend the Secretary for Mines. I will mention to him my hon. Friend's question.
§ Mr. STEPHENIs the Home Secretary aware that there are many of us on these benches who feel that he has used these Regulations very unfairly, and that the time on Friday will be very limited, because of the indignation there is on these benches in regard to the action of the Home Secretary in making these Regulations an instrument of the Tory party in various parts of the country?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat is a political argument.