ting similar laws on
subjects of this kind as far as may be.

It is impossible, without taking up too much space and entering too much
into technical detail, to do more than indicate in general terms some of
the reforms in the law which demand early attention. The following may
be given as examples:

(1) The complete revision of the Statute Law, consolidating the law on
each subject as far as possible, and in some cases amending it at the
same time. The present state of English Statute Law is a disgrace to any
civilised nation. There are subjects on which it is almost impossible to
say what the law is, owing, amongst other causes, to the pernicious
habit of legislation by reference from one statute to another. Judges,
the legal advisers to parties in litigation, clerks to local
authorities, and others, ought to have in compendious form before them
the whole Statute Law on a subject under discussion. Much good and very
laborious work has been done under the direction of the Committee on
Statute Law, but their duties should be extended and fuller facilities
afforded for more complete and more rapid revision. These powers should
include that of presenting at the same time to Parliament minor
incidental amendments in the Statute Law which would remove doubts and
inconsistency, and get rid of obsolete provisions. Either a Minister of
Justice or one of the existing Ministers along with his other duties
should be definitely responsible for seeing that the work is done
without undue delay or expense. Probably a small Joint Committee of
Lords and Commons might consider any cases where amendments were made,
and, if they approved of the revised and consolidated Statutes, the
Committee stage in both Houses might be dispensed with, and a single
reading of the Bill of revision or even merely "to lay it on the table"
would be quite sufficient to preserve the general authority of
Parliament over legislation of this kind. A small executive department
should be established under the direction of the Minister for dealing
with all details and drafting the proposed Bills. There should be a
permanent head of such a department with a small but efficient staff and
proper accommodation for carrying on the work, which would be
continuous, in order not only to put but to keep the Statute Law in
proper form. The head of such a department should have a very free hand
as regards the mode of carrying on the work, subject to certain general
regulati