asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that his predecessor's instructions to Parliamentary counsel to mitigate the inconveniences of legislation by reference, whenever possible, by using typographical devices to indicate the changes proposed, and by setting out in a schedule the law as it will be when amended, rendered such legislation more intelligible, both to hon. Members before enactment, and to lawyers and the public after enactment; whether he is aware that the Finance Bill reverts to the old practice; and whether he will cause the improved practice to be reintroduced?

My right hon. Friend assumes my hon. Friend to refer to the answer which was given to him by my right hon. Friend's predecessor on 26th July, 1938. That statement does not altogether bear the interpretation which the present Question puts upon it. He can, however, assure my hon. Friend that the suggestions made by him in 1938 have not been overlooked, even though the number of cases in which Parliamentary counsel are able to proceed experimentally in accordance with his predecessor's instructions will necessarily be limited for the reasons stated in the answer to which I have referred.

Does my right hon. Friend appreciate that we had a number of Bills printed in this improved form showing in a Schedule the alterations to be made in the law and using different typographical devices? That practice has now been abandoned, and I understood that the idea was to" save paper. Will my right hon. Friend consider any evidence that I send him that hon. Members really would like to understand Bills?

Does not my right hon. Friend consider that in these days, when the discussion of Bills has to be curtailed, it is more than ever necessary that amendments in the law should be made clear to Members and the public without elaborate search, especially in a Bill like the Finance Bill, which touches severely all classes of the community?

I will certainly consider any points which my hon. Friend the Member for Twickenham (Mr. Keeling) offers to send to me.

Will my right hon. Friend arrange for a copy of "The New Despotism," by the late Lord Chief Justice, to be placed in the office of every Minister of the Crown?