HL Deb 23 March 1977 vol 381 cc511-3
The Earl of KINNOULL

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will consider, as a gesture in Jubilee Year, introducing no further Public Bills this Session in the light of the current state of their legislative programme.

The LORD PRIVY SEAL (Lord Peart)

No, my Lords.

The Earl of KINNOULL

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord the Leader for that brief but precise reply. Is he aware that, in Her Majesty's Government's zeal for an energetic legislative programme, they have over the last three years inflicted on the community over 6,696 pages on the Statute Book and have averaged over 80 Public Bills in the last two Sessions, while the average for the previous 10 years was barely 50? Does the noble Lord accept that there is general concern about the excessive amount of legislation?

Lord PEART

My Lords, I cannot accept that. Many of these measures are important—for example, those on fishery limits and, if I may say so, that on the aircraft and shipbuilding industry, and others. I think that noble Lords would rather work hard.

Lord CAMPBELL of CROY

My Lords, if the amount of legislation in the last Session is regarded as normal, is the noble Lord aware that, whatever happens in another place tonight, that is a service which we hope will never be resumed?

Lord PEART

My Lords, the noble Lord should not count his chickens before they are hatched.

Lord BOWDEN

My Lords, in view of the enormous amount of legislation that is going on the Statute Book, is it possible that the traditional maxim which noble and learned Lords and Members of this House have always used—that ignorance of the law is no excuse—can for the time being be forgotten?

Baroness FAITHFULL

My Lords, will the noble Lord the Leader of the House consider whether, instead of passing more laws, we could have consolidation of a number of areas of law? In particular I refer to the various Acts relating to children and young persons, of which there are many. It would be very much easier for everyone if those measures were consolidated.

Lord PEART

My Lords, that is a very constructive point and I agree with the noble Baroness. It is sensible to have consolidation where it is possible. Apart from that, it eases the load on the legislative machine.

Lord CARRINGTON

My Lords, would the noble Lord not agree that it would have been more proper for my noble friend to put this Question to the Liberal Party?

Lord PEART

My Lords, I am not aware of the consequences of such a remark but, whatever happens in another place, I believe that the Government will survive.

Lord INGLEWOOD

My Lords, is the noble Lord satisfied that this legislation is not putting an intolerable burden on the police and others in this country whose responsibility it is to ensure that the law is observed?

Lord PEART

My Lords, no, I do not think so. The noble Lord has often, quite rightly, pressed for action in many sections of our society. I do not think that it is a burden on the police.

Viscount MONCK

My Lords, in view of the noble Lord's first reply to this Question, will he consider introducing a Bill today, which will be passed through all its stages, to stop the awfully cold draught that is blowing around my legs?

Lord PEART

My Lords, I shall have a word with the authorities. It is not coming from this side!

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