HC Deb 03 August 1944 vol 402 cc1609-10
Petty-Officer Alan Herbert (Oxford University)

May I ask for your guidance, Mr. Speaker, on a point of procedure which has only just come to my notice? Two days ago I ventured to draw attention to an important and grave grammatical error in the National Fire Services Regulations (Indemnity) Bill and I stated that I would put down an Amendment. The Attorney-General, on looking into the matter, said he thought I was right and that he would deal with the matter in another place. Thereafter the Home Secretary and his gallant assistant and the Attorney-General came to me and assured me that I was right. What is my astonishment when I look at the report of the proceedings in another place to see that the point was never raised and that the Bill has gone through all its stages with one more ghastly illiteracy added to the Statute Book? I should like to ask what remedy there is for that, and also what faith can be put in the assurances of Ministers.

Mr. Speaker

The matter has left this House and it is quite beyond our control.

Petty-Officer Herbert

Would an amending Statute be possible?