HL Deb 13 March 1996 vol 570 cc69-70WA
Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

On what date it is expected that HMSO will start to publish the full text of all new Acts of Parliament on the Internet, and whether the text of each Act will he updated if and when the Act is amended.

Earl Howe

HMSO's primary responsibility is to publish in print the text of Acts as they receive the Royal Assent. As soon as possible after that duty has been discharged, the text of newly enacted Acts from this Session of Parliament will be released on to the Internet. Current HMSO plans do not extend to updating existing Internet text as legislation is amended.

Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether, when HMSO publishes the text of new Acts of Parliament on the Internet, it will also publish the relevant secondary legislation relating to those Acts, and if not, why not.

Earl Howe

There are no immediate plans to publish secondary legislation on the Internet. Considerable resources will be required to release the full text of Acts, and that task is currently taking priority. Public response to this initiative will be gauged before deciding whether and how the project should be extended.