§ Mr. Bishopasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, in view of the fact that in a recent week over 100 EEC directives, proposals, draft Council decisions, Official Journals, working documents, draft regulations and explanatory statements on draft instruments were issued in a wide range of subjects, if he will press for action to make such publications more readily available for the public, in view of the fact that ignorance of the law is no reason for not complying with it.
§ Mr. John DaviesI would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave him on 5th February.—[Vol. 850, c. 75.]
I welcome the growing interest in the acquisition of Community documentation by institutions such as public libraries, universities, polytechnics, professional associations and the legal professions. Her Majesty's Government continue to encourage this interest.
I would also draw the hon. Member's attention to the fact that legally binding instruments constitute only a small proportion of the material to which he refers.