§ Mr. Sean Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services on what occasions since June 1979 his Department had to (a) introduce amending legislation to legislation introduced since June 1979 because of doubts about legality or because such legislation had been successfully challenged in the courts and (b) amend or withdraw orders introduced since June 1979 because of doubts about legality or because such orders had been successfully challenged in the courts.
§ Mr. LyellOver each of the years in question the Department has laid approximately 100 to 145 statutory instruments. A number of amendments have been required in relation to these. The circumstances relating to the years preceding 1979 were broadly similar. I regret that the information necessary to identify each of the occasions requested could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.