HC Deb 19 January 1949 vol 460 c137
3. Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is now in a position to confirm whether S.I., No. 562, 1948, made by him was laid before this House and became subject to the procedure laid down under the Statutory Instruments Act.

The Assistant Postmaster-General (Mr. Hobson)

Statutory Instrument, 1948, No. 562 was made by virtue of the Post Office (Parcels) Act, 1882, which contains no provision for the laying before Parliament of Regulations made thereunder. Consequently the provisions of Section 5 of the Statutory Instruments Act, relating to annulment, had no application. The Statutory Instrument in questionwas not in fact laid before the House and I regret that remarks which I made during the Adjournment Debate on 9th December conveyed a contrary impression.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

In thanking the hon. Gentleman for the terms of that very fair and frank reply, may I ask him if he will now acquit hon. Members on this side of the House of the grave charge of not having moved to annul a Government Order?

Mr. Hobson

Certainly.