§ Mr. SpearingTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what amended orders she proposes to lay arising from the recommendations contained in the 15th report of the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments (HC 34-xv, HL 60 of Session 1995–96); and what is her timetable for laying these orders. [28628]
§ Mr. Robin Squire[holding answer 10 May 1996]: The 15th report of the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments refers to two sets of regulations made by the Department, the Education (Grants for Nursery Education) (England) Regulations 1996, SI 1996/353, and the Education (Grants for Education Support and Training: Nursery Education) (England) Regulations 1996, SI 1996/235.
In the case of SI 1996/353, the Committee, after calling for two memorandums from the Department, determined not to draw the special attention of both Houses to the regulations. In the case of SI 1996/235, the Committee drew the special attention of both Houses to the regulations on the ground that they included two provisions which referred to provisions in another instrument rather than setting the provisions out in full. Since the instrument is unambiguous and contains no error, it does not call for amendment. The Department therefore does not propose to lay any amending regulations arising from this report but will bear in mind the Joint Committee's views on drafting in future.