§ 69. Sir J. Mellorasked the Minister of Supply if he will now state why copies of deposited Schedules 91 to 95, inclusive, to the Iron and Steel Prices Order, 1951, were laid before the House of Commons in dummy form on 20th February, although certified by an Under-Secretary of his Department to be correct copies; whether these five Schedules are included in the 97 deposited Schedules defined in the Order; and what they contain.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply (Mr. John Freeman)Schedules 91 to 95 to this Order, included in the 97 Schedules to the Order, contain detailed prices for a wide variety of rainwater and soil pipes and gutters and connections. I have now investigated the matter and find that copies of certain deposited Schedules, which should have been identified with earlier deposited Schedules laid before the House, were, owing to a misunderstanding for which I apologise, not so identified and were therefore incomplete. Complete copies of these Schedules were accordingly relaid yesterday. The certified originals were, of course, complete.
§ Sir J. MellorIs not this a matter for you to consider, Mr. Speaker? In view of the Minister's answer that this Order has been improperly laid, is it not now a matter for your decision whether the Order has been laid at all? At a convenient opportunity, could you give a Ruling on that point at an early date?
§ Mr. SpeakerI could not answer that question without notice. It seems to me 32 to be rather complicated and I should like to be able to think about it.
§ Sir J. MellorI appreciate that, Mr. Speaker. The Minister gave an answer on the day before we rose for Easter in which he said he was discussing the matter with the authorities of the House and, therefore, I think you will find that the matter has been carefully considered by your advisers.
§ Mr. SpeakerI am sorry, but I am afraid I have no knowledge of it.