HC Deb 22 July 1942 vol 382 cc22-3
30. Mr. Bossom

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Planning whether he will assure the House that no law or regulation, based on a Report or otherwise, affecting postwar building or planning, will be enacted by an Order in Council without giving the House an opportunity of debating such a measure?

Mr. H. Strauss

I assume that what my hon. Friend has in mind are Orders in Council under the Emergency Powers (Defence) Acts, 1939 and 1940. The powers conferred by these Acts are temporary powers and any Order in Council made thereunder can be made the subject of Debate in the House. I do not know whether my hon. Friend has any particular type of provision in mind, but I do not think it would be possible to give an assurance in such wide terms as are contained in his Question.

Mr. Bossom

Can my hon. Friend explain why, when the House is in Recess, his Department should make Orders that will apply after the war is over?

Mr. Strauss

I have no idea why my hon. Friend assumes that such Orders are to be made in the Recess. Permanent changes in the law of town and country planning clearly cannot be effected by Orders in Council. It is, however, impossible to say what regulations may have to be made during the war for economising man-power, saving materials and other purposes; it is equally impossible to guarantee that these will not indirectly affect post-war building or planning, and for that reason I cannot give the assurance asked for.

Mr. Bossom

Cannot my hon. Friend really say—

Mr. Speaker rose