HC Deb 01 July 1919 vol 117 c780W
Mr. HENRY M'LAREN

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the conclusion of Peace, he is prepared to bring in a measure to repeal the Defence of the Realm Act or, if he is not prepared to do this, whether he is prepared to submit to a Committee of the House of Commons those Orders in Council made under that Act which the Government desire to retain?

Mr. BONAR LAW

By the termination, of the present War (Definition) Act, His Majesty may declare what date is to be treated as the date of the termination of the War, and the date so declared is to be as nearly as may be the date of the exchange or deposit of ratifications of the Treaties of Peace. The Defence of the Realm Acts, and the Regulations made there under, will. I understand, lapse on the date so fixed, except in so far as the Regulations may be kept alive by any other Statute.