HC Deb 22 February 1949 vol 461 cc1697-8
75. Sir J. Mellor

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many, Statutory Instruments were made during January, 1949; how many were revoked; and how many expired.

Mr. Glenvil Hall

The figures are as follow:

Statutory Instruments made in January, 1949 167
Statutory Instruments revoked in January, 1949 15
Statutory Instruments expired in January, 1949 6

Sir J. Mellor

Will the right hon. Gentleman reconcile that answer with the statement made by the Lord President of the Council on 3rd February that for quite a long time now there has been a steady diminution in the number and stringency of controls?

Mr. Glenvil Hall

I could, but the Question does not ask me to do so.

76. Mr. De la Bère

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the continued complaints from the public that they are unable to obtain a number of the Statutory Rules and Regulations issued by the Government throughout 1948, which are now out of print, he will now give further consideration to making an adequate supply available.

Mr. Glenvil Hall

The hon. Member continues to make an assertion unsupported by evidence. No Statutory Instrument of 1948 is out of print and the Stationery Office has had no complaint on the subject.

Mr. De la Bère

Is the Financial Secretary to the Treasury aware that that is quite unjust and untrue. [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh !"] There are numbers of these regulations which are out of print. They come into print and they go out of print. Will he do something about them or, better still, wash out the regulations as unworkable?

Mr. Glenvil Hall

I think I have asked the hon. Gentleman to let me have details of any that he thinks are out of print. If he will do that, I will see what can be done.