HL Deb 09 April 2001 vol 624 cc142-3WA
Lord Brightman

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether it is their present intention to introduce the following consolidation Bills (mentioned in the 35th Annual Report of the Law Commission) before the end of the 2001–02 Session of Parliament:

  1. (a) consolidation of the law relating to European parliamentary elections;
  2. (b) consolidation of the law relating to parliamentary and local government elections;
  3. (c) consolidation of the provisions relating to the functions of the criminal division of the Court of Appeal;
    4. WA 143
  4. (d) consolidation of the legislation relating to wireless telegraphy; and
whether it is their present intention to introduce any other consolidation Bills before the end of the 2001–02 Session of Parliament. [HL1497]

The Lord Chancellor

Of the four consolidation Bills being drafted by the Law Commission, that on the law relating to European parliamentary elections is the most advanced and is likely to be introduced before the end of the 2001–02 Session. It is too early to say whether the other three Bills, or any Bills from other consolidation projects which may be undertaken, will be introduced during the 2001–02 Session. Progress on any consolidation Bill depends on whether there are, or may be, other Bills dealing with the same subject matter and the progress of such Bills. It is also liable to be affected by the demands which programme Bills make on departmental resources.