§ Lord Lucasasked the Leader of the House:
Whether she will ensure that government departments make available in the Printed Paper Office consolidated current statutes when such statutes are subject to extensive amendment by a Bill, as is the case with the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Bill and the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. [HL800]
§ Baroness AmosOn first printing of an Act 10 copies are delivered to the Printed Paper Office for supply to Members on request. The Printed Paper Office can of course obtain further copies when required. It holds copies of Acts back to 1951.
It is good practice for departments with a Bill going through the House to make available to Members in all the usual ways papers necessary to understand the Bill. This might well include related legislation. My office will contact all departments to remind them of this.
The Government are committed to delivering a fully revised and updated statute book to users and hopes that the statute law database will be completed and made available to the public by the end of 2004.