HC Deb 27 July 1944 vol 402 cc899-900
Mr. Pethick-Lawrence

(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he can now state what steps, if any, will be required, to rectify the position relating to the Regulations which were not laid before the House at the proper time.

Lieut.-Colonel Elliot

(by Private Notice) asked the Home Secretary when he will be able to make a full statement upon the validity or invalidity of action taken under the authority of the Regulations, where the statutory procedure has not been complied with.

Mr. H. Morrison

The Government have decided to submit to the House without any delay a Bill of Indemnity. I do not propose at this moment to discuss the legal position, but after consulting my right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General, I am clear that on general and constitutional grounds the course which I have stated is the proper one. It is in my view right that Parliament should be given a proper opportunity of dealing with the matter on a Parliamentary Bill.

Mr. Pethick-Lawrence

When will the text of the Bill be available to Members?

Mr. Morrison

I cannot be certain, but I hope that it will be available to-morrow.

Lieut.-Colonel Elliot

Is it proposed to proceed with this Bill before the Recess?

Mr. Morrison

My right hon. Friend the Leader of the House will be dealing with that matter when he makes a statement on Business.

Sir Irving Albery

Is the right hon. Gentleman seized of the fact that it still remains a matter of great importance whether these Draft Regulations, having been put into operation without the proper procedure, are legally in order or not? Surely that is a matter which must be cleared up.

Mr. Morrison

One of the purposes of the Bill, as I have said, is to provide an indemnity, but I do not think it would be convenient to discuss legal points at this moment. The Attorney-General or the Solicitor-General will be available to the House when the Bill is considered.

Mr. Edgar Granville

Might I ask the right hon. Gentleman to make clear whether these Regulations are still in operation now, or are suspended until the Bill is brought forward?

Mr. Morrison

That is asking the question another way round. We can discuss these matters on the Bill.