HC Deb 23 March 1948 vol 448 c2769
65. Mr. De la Bèere

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what steps he is taking to overcome the difficulty caused by the fact that a large number of the 23,000 Regulations and Statutory Orders are unobtainable by the public through the Stationery Office.

Mr. Glenvil Hall

I am not aware of the difficulty. If the hon. Gentleman will give me details, I will look into it.

Mr. De la Bere

Is the Minister aware that there were during 1947 2,900-odd new regulations and Statutory Orders, which means eight a day, day in and day out, and how does he think the public can possibly know these regulations in view of the fact that they are not available through the Stationery Office? Is it not a fact that ignorance of the law must be held to be an excuse, in view of the fact that they cannot be obtained through the Stationery Office? I want an answer. It is very unsatisfactory.

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member really must control himself.