HC Deb 18 November 1948 vol 458 c558
45. Mr. C. S. Taylor

asked the Lord President of the Council why the provisions of Statutory Instrument, 1948, No. 2262, came into effective operation eight days before the order was made.

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

The Statutory Instrument to which the hon. Member refers declared the date on which the emergency that occasioned the passing of the Universities and Colleges (Emergency Provisions) Act, 1939, came to an end. In order to comply with Section 8 (2) of the Act, it was necessary for the date so declared to be prior to that on which the Statutory Instrument was made.

Mr. Taylor

Is there any reason why the Statutory Instrument should not have been issued before it?

Mr. Morrison

Yes, Sir. The issue had to be after the event, for the Statute so directed. The hon. Member, in the order of which he is complaining, will find language quite explicit, for it comes from the Statute itself.