HC Deb 24 July 1989 vol 157 cc516-7W
Mr. Steinberg

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if, for each of the last three White Papers issued by his Department, for which legislation has been started, he will state the time elapsed between their publication and the First Readings of any Bills connected with them; and if he will do the same for the last three White Papers issued by the Department of Trade and Industry prior to May 1979.

Mr. Newton

The last three White Papers published by my Department, in which legislation was proposed and has been subsequently started or completed were: "Intellectual Property and Innovation" (Cm. 9712), "Financial Services in the UK" (Cm. 9432) and "Safety of Goods" (Cm. 9302). These were published on 15 April 1986, 29 January 1985 and 12 July 1984 respectively and the First Readings of the Copyright Designs and Patents, Financial Services and Consumer Protection Bills resulting from them took place on 28 October 1987, 18 December 1985 and 19 November 1986. It is not for me to answer for the record of the last Government in this matter, but the information requested should be available in the Library of the House and the Official Report.