HC Deb 11 June 1951 vol 488 cc1658-9
44. Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

asked the Minister of Food if he has now had an opportunity to consider the circumstances of the delay in the publication of Statutory Instruments, 1951, Nos. 606 and 607; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. F. Willey

As my right hon. Friend promised, he has made very thorough inquiries into this question. As he has already told the hon. Member, he is satisfied that in this particular case the interval of four days between laying and publication was not unreasonable.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that his right hon. Friend says in a letter to me that the interval was longer than usual, and can I have the Parliamentary Secretary's assurance that it is the policy of his Department to publish after a shorter interval of time than was the fact in this case?

Mr. Willey

Yes, Sir, it is our endeavour to make this interval as short as possible, but we have to exercise discretion in the various cases regarding the pressure we bring to bear on His Majesty's Stationery Office.

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