HC Deb 19 January 1972 vol 829 cc462-3
39. Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Lord President of the Council whether he will supply an authenticated English translation of the 1,500 rules, regulations, orders and edicts of the European Economic Community to the Press and general public in the normal way for non-parliamentary papers.

Mr. Whitelaw

The pre-accession series of English texts of secondary legislation of the European Communities was published on 13th January.

Mr. Lewis

May I pay a sincere tribute to the Leader of the House? I do not object to the fact that it has taken 12 months to get it. I know that the right hon. Gentleman is aware of this problem, because we have seen this pile of papers and tried to carry it and both of us together could not carry it, it is so heavy. Is he aware that some hon. Members, particularly hon. Members of the opposite sex—[Laughter.]—opposite to me—want a conveyance to carry them away? How can we collect these papers to take them away? Not all hon. Members have cars. [Laughter.] Hon. Members may laugh. This pile is that high—[HON. MEMBERS: "Too long."] They weigh half a cwt. and one just cannot get them away. Would the right hon. Gentleman supply hon. Members with a trolley or some other conveyance to get them out of the House?

Mr. Whitelaw

It would be fair to say that both the hon. Gentleman and I know something about weight. I should have thought that, on that basis, it was perfectly proper that I should suggest to right hon. and hon. Gentlemen that, once they have been provided, how they care to remove these papers, if they wish to do so, is entirely a matter for them.

Sir G. Nabarro

Is my right hon. Friend aware that I am the Vice-President of the Vale of Evesham Asparagus Growers' Association—[HON. MEMBERS: "Resign."]—and that members of the association would happily lighten this load for all hon. Members by abandoning completely those orders relating to asparagus?

Mr. Whitelaw

I must congratulate my hon. Friend on his important appointment, but that does not particularly apply to what we should do with these texts.

Mr. R. C. Mitchell

Would the right hon. Gentleman make these rules and regulations available to the general public through the Post Office, as was done with the White Paper?

Mr. Whitelaw

It was asked that they should be made available in the Vote Office, and they are.

Mr. R. C. Mitchell

Post Office, not Vote Office.