HC Deb 22 March 2001 vol 365 cc314-5W
Mr. Stunell

To ask the President of the Council how many(a) clauses there were in Government Bills as introduced and (b) Government amendments were tabled, in Sessions (i) 1996–97 and (ii) 1999–2000; and if she will give a ratio between both figures for both sessions. [154286]

Mrs. Beckett

(a) Information1 on the number of clauses and schedules is as follows:

Year Clauses and Schedules on Introduction Pages on Introduction Pages on Royal Assent
1996–972 896 1,044 1,143
1999–20003 2.637 2,796 3,600
1The figures exclude Scottish, Consolidated Fund and Appropriation Bills.
2House of Commons sat for 86 days and the House of Lords for 79 days.
3House of Commons sat for 170 days and the House of Lords for 177 days.

(b) Information on Government amendments could be provided only at disproportionate cost.