Subjects Discussed: 1. FUTURE STRUCTURE OF EMERGENCY LEGISLATION; 2. PARLIAMENTARY CONTROL OVER SUBORDINATE LEGISLATION

1. FUTURE STRUCTURE OF EMERGENCY LEGISLATION THE CHAIRMAN referred to the paper (E.L. (43) 11) which summarised the views of the permanent nucleus of the Committee on the future structure of emergency legislation. The questions raised in that memorandum had been discussed at meetings of some of the Departments using Regulation 55, under the chairmanship of Sir Stephen Low. The Committee had now to consider which of three courses should be recommended to Ministers:- (i) an enlargement of the Emergency Powers (Defence) Acts to cover the purposes of the transitional period, or (ii) the introduction of a Bill soon after the end of hostilities in Europe (Stage A) replacing Regulation 55 for the purposes of war and transition, leaving other matters to be covered by the Emergency Powers (Defence) Acts, or (iii) a proposal adumbrated by Sir Stephen Low that a Bill should be introduced between Stage A and the end of war with Japan (Stage B), to come into operation at Stage B, giving the Departments using Defence Regulation 55 the powers they would want after Stage B.