HC Deb 02 April 1953 vol 513 cc1355-6
37. Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many Statutory Instruments were made in 1951 and 1952, respectively.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

The figures are: general orders: 1951, 1,166; 1952, 1,029. Local printed orders: 1951, 545; 1952, 296. Local orders (not printed): 1951, 624; 1952, 987.

Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

Does the hon. Gentleman realise that when all these figures are added together this attack on the volume of delegated legislation since the present Government came to power does not match the hon. Gentleman's vocal attacks when he was in Opposition? When is he going to produce better results to match his former protestations?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

When the hon. and gallant Member has had the chance to study the figures, which, I agree, are difficult to take in as they are read out, I think he will see that there has been a satisfactory reduction in general orders and in the more important and, therefore, printed local orders, and that the emphasis is now increasingly upon the smaller kind of local order, such as an order affecting the movement of cattle during foot-and-mouth disease, which is in our view the proper use for delegated legislation. When the hon. and gallant Gentleman studies the figures, he will see that we have made considerable progress.

Sir W. Smithers

Can my hon. Friend give the total number of Statutory Orders in existence to-day? If not, will he have the number put in the Library?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

I think that my hon. Friend has in mind the number of orders that are today effective. The Question, of course, relates to the numbers made during particular periods.

Mr. Marlowe

Have not a large number of the orders made during the past year been made to cancel orders issued by the previous Government?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

Yes, Sir.

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