HC Deb 24 March 1952 vol 498 cc13-4
30. Mr. F. Willey

asked the Minister of Food why Statutory Instruments, 1952, Nos. 527 and 528, increasing the prices of bread and flour, are signed neither by him nor his Parliamentary Secretary.

Dr. Hill

Doubtless for the same reason that certain Orders were signed by senior officials of the Department while the hon. Member held office. It so happened that neither my right hon. and gallant Friend nor myself was available.

Mr. Willey

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that while I held office, all the Orders were signed by either my right hon. Friend or myself? Is he further aware that it is regarded as lack of courtesy to the House for an important Order like this not to be signed by the Minister, and that as the Order was signed on a Friday we assume that the Minister and the Parliamentary Secretary are now working a four-day week?

Dr. Hill

May I refresh the hon. Member's recollection? Two Orders were signed by officials during the period from March, 1950, to October, 1951, as well as two during the Dissolution period. On the second point, my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced the impending Order in his Budget speech on the Tuesday, drafting began on the Tuesday night, the Orders were ready for signature late on the Friday and they were to be placed on the Table of the House on the Saturday, but my right hon. Friend and I were not in London on the Friday night. [HON. MEMBERS: "Where were you?"] I was in my constituency, and my right hon. and gallant Friend—[Interruption.]

Mr. Willey

Is the hon. Gentleman aware—[HON. MEMBERS: "Withdraw."] If I am asked to withdraw I should like the hon. Gentleman to mention the names of the two Orders and the dates on which they were signed. As he says, this is an important Order, which followed the Budget statement. Parliament was sitting. It is, surely, quite unprecedented for the Minister and the Parliamentary Secretary both to be unavailable to sign the Order?

Dr. Hill

If it helps the hon. Member and he will put down a Question, I will give him the exact dates and substance of the Orders.