§ 52. Mr. C. S. Taylorasked the Minister of Labour why Command Paper No. 7266 was tabled on 26th November, 1947, and was not available in the Vote Office or on the Table of the House before 6 p.m. on 27th November, 1947.
§ Mr. IsaacsThe earliest time at which this Command Paper could be published was 6 p.m. on Thursday, 27th November. As I was anxious to advise the House of its forthcoming publication, I presented it in dummy on 26th November so that it would appear in Votes and Proceedings the next morning.
§ Mr. TaylorWill the right hon. Gentleman say whether it is desirable for these things to be tabled in dummy some 20 hours before they are actually available to hon. Members, and whether it is in accordance with the precedents of this House that that should be done?
§ Mr. IsaacsIn this connection, I thought that I was entitled to a medal, from the hon. Gentleman. This Paper reached me at about 12 o'clock on Tuesday morning and, being anxious that the House should get it without delay, and as I could not get it printed earlier, I had it presented in dummy so that all hon. Members would he aware of the fact that it would be ready on the following day.