HC Deb 31 July 1974 vol 878 cc794-5
45. Mr. Michael Clark Hutchison

asked the Lord Advocate what Acts of Parliament he currently has under consideration for repeal as being obsolete.

The Lord Advocate

The repeal of obsolete and unnecessary statutes is a matter which is under continuous review by the Scottish Law Commission, along with the Law Commission, and reports containing proposals for repeals are periodically placed before Parliament.

Mr. Hutchison

I am grateful for that reply, and to know that the Lord Advocate has the matter in hand. Will he consider taking two other steps? First, when we have Bills before Parliament, will he make certain that they are self-contained and not full of cross-references to other Acts? Secondly, to solve our general difficulties, will he see that we have rather less legislation?

The Lord Advocate

In reply to the hon. Gentleman's second question, on reflection he may feel that there is much necessary legislation—particularly in relation to the matter of non-controversial law reform in Scotland—which we wish to see on the statute book.

In reply to the hon. Gentleman's first question, that is a matter in which I personally have a great interest—to see that our statutes are made as clear and as concise as possible. I am glad to say that that view finds favour in quite a few quarters.