§ 48. Sir Irving Alberyasked the Prime Minister with reference to the Donoughmore 1932 Report on the subject of Ministers' Powers, whether he will now set up a suitable Standing Committee of this House, or of the two Houses of Parliament, to examine Orders and Regulations and supervise subordinate legislation generally with a view to any necessary action, especially as regards the many regulations, the modification of which would assist the war effort?
§ Sir J. AndersonThis particular proposal of the Report on Ministers' Powers has not been put into operation, and my right hon. Friend does not desire to express any opinion on its merits for ordinary times. In present circumstances it would be impracticable owing to the number of regulations, rules and orders on which reports would have to be made and considered.
§ Sir I. AlberyIn view of the fact that in present conditions them numerous and frequently important regulations are put into operation without any adequate Parliamentary control or revision, will my right hon. Friend draw the Prime Minister's attention to the question whether it would not be a great advantage that at any rate there should be some subsequent Parliamentary revision of these regulations?
§ Mr. HopkinsonIn his reply my right hon. Friend mentioned "ordinary times." By the phrase "ordinary times" are we to understand such times as the right hon. Member for Epping (Mr. Churchill) is not Prime Minister?