THE EARL OF CAMPERDOWNMy Lords, I rise to ask whether the Government 1360 will, during the present session, cause a full explanatory statement to be circulated in regard to the effect of the clauses of any Bill which contains references to Acts of Parliament. On 18th June I ventured to call your Lordships' attention to the practice of legislation by reference, and to the troublesome and mischievous consequences of that practice to all whose fate it is to read Bills drawn in that manner. The House appeared to agree with me, and the noble and learned Lord on the Woolsack was so good as to say that if I would give him a few days to consider the matter he would see whether a joint Committee of the two Houses might be appointed for the purpose of considering the question. Nothing has been done since then. I do not in any way complain, because I know that His Majesty's Government have been very much occupied in a great many other ways. But, at the same time, we have to consider what remains of the present session. What is before us in the present session I wish I knew; and I am sure we shall be very much obliged to the noble Earl who leads the House if he will take some early opportunity of informing us what Bills we may expect. In the meantime I would say this, that if the Government propose to bring Bills to this House which contain a great deal of reference to other Acts of Parliament, I hope they will print, not merely the sort of memorandum usually attached to a Bill, but a full explanatory statement of the effect of the clauses upon existing legislation. I do not know whether the Town Planning Bill is likely to reach us, but if, by any chance, it should come up to your Lordships' House, I am sure it would take your Lordships a much longer time than remains between now and Christmas to understand it without some such explanatory statement. I therefore venture to ask the Question standing in my name.
§ THE LORD CHANCELLORMy Lords, I can assure the noble Earl that His Majesty's Government will do their best to give effect to his suggestion, especially in the case of Government, Bills. There are at times, of course, references to Acts of Parliament which explain themselves, and also references to well-known provisions. I do not suppose 1361 that the noble Earl regards it as necessary to deal with those in the way proposed.
§ THE LORD CHANCELLORI understand that what the noble Earl wants is elucidation and light with regard to the effect of important clauses. We will do our best to comply with his request.