HC Deb 11 April 1946 vol 421 cc2092-3
47. Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

asked the Lord President of the Council where a copy can be seen of the Straits Settlement (Repeal) Order in Council, 1946, reference to which is made in the Malayan Union Order in Council, 1946, as establishing 1st April, 1946, as the appointed day for the coming into force of the said Order; whether copies can be made available to hon. Members; and whether he will give instructions that no Orders shall be made in future in which reference is made to Orders not available to Members.

The Lord President of the Council (Mr. Herbert Morrison)

The Straits Settlements (Repeal) Order in Council, 1946, has been published as Statutory Rule and Order No. 462 of 1946, and copies are now available in the Vote Office and the Library. As regards the last part of the Question, I must remind the hon. Member that many Orders in Council fall within the Prerogative, or deal with judicial or local matters, and are not published. I will, however, look into the point he raises and consider whether any further improvement in the existing practice can be made for the convenience of hon. Members.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this Order was not available in the Library until this Question was put down? Is it a coincidence that it is now?

Mr. Morrison

It all goes according to plan. As a matter of fact, there was quite as much information in the actual Order in Council as there is in this Statutory Rule and Order.

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