HC Deb 13 October 1943 vol 392 cc890-1W
Colonel A. Evans

asked the Attorney-General why no explanatory memorandum was attached to the Matrimonial Causes (Amendment) (No. 2) Rules, 1943 (S.R. & O., 1325/L. 25) in order that the effect of the changes should be clear without the necessity of studying two Acts of Parliament and one earlier Statutory Rule and Order?

The Attorney-General

The need for an explanatory note arises mainly in connection with subordinate legislation under the Emergency Powers (Defence) Acts. The Rules to which the hon. Member refers are not made under those Acts. They are Rules of Court, and so far the extension to Rules of Court of the practice of publishing explanatory notes has not been suggested, and I do not think that such an extension is necessary. These particular Rules will be readily understood by the only people who will use them, namely, solicitors who act for petitioners in divorce cases, and in accordance with the usual practice they were published in the Law Papers.