§ Mr. Levyasked the Attorney-General whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that 6,000 Statutory Rules and Orders have been issued since September, 1939, most of them penal in effect; that in many cases many of the persons affected by such Statutory Rules and Orders do not become aware of them; and in these circumstances is he prepared to introduce a Bill providing that the rule of law to the effect that ignorance of the law is no defence may be suspended in respect to offences under Statutory Rules and Orders for the duration of the war?
§ The Attorney-GeneralI have not had time to check the number of those which create offences but the number is no doubt large. The hon. Member's suggestion is I think impracticable. All practicable steps are taken by the Departments to make the effect of these Orders generally known, and where Orders are of special interest to particular sections of the public, special measures are taken to bring them to the notice of those most affected. His Majesty's Government attach great importance to this procedure. If proceedings are taken and the person accused satisfies the Court that his offence was inadvertent the Court can of course always take this into account in considering any penalty.