§ 12. Sir H. Williamsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why the Foreign Jurisdiction Order (Egypt), made by His Majesty on 24th September and which came into operation on that date, was not available in the Library until 2nd November?
§ Mr. LawA copy of the Foreign Jurisdiction Order (Egypt) was forwarded to the Librarian of the House on 26th October on which date the Order appeared in the London Gazette. It is impracticable to issue in this country Orders-in-Council which operate in other countries 1123 until it is known that copies have reached and are available in the country concerned, and copies of this Order did not reach Egypt till the middle of October.
§ Sir H. WilliamsIs it not important that when an Order is made which is subject to challenge in this House it should be made available to the Members of this House at the earliest possible moment?
§ Mr. LawI think it is desirable that Orders of this kind should be available in this House at the earliest practicable moment, but the earliest practicable moment is the moment immediately after it has been received in the country concerned.
§ Sir H. WilliamsHaving regard to the fact that it is our own Government that made that decision, and since we might want to challenge that decision, ought it not to be open to us immediately to do so, instead of there being a delay of six weeks?
§ Mr. LawI am informed that Orders of this kind under the Foreign Orders Jurisdiction Act have in fact never been laid in this House before they have been issued.