§ Lord Lester of Herne Hillasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to Baroness Chalker of Wallasey's Answer of 1 November 1995(col.WA 160), whether they will list any departures from the Ponsonby Rule of which they are aware, and the reasons for such departures.
§ The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Chalker of Wallasey)I have nothing to add to my previous answer.
§ Lord Lester of Herne Hillasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to Baroness Chalker of Wallasey's Answer of 1 November 1995 (col.WA 160), whether they will list the exceptions to the operation of the Ponsonby Rule, and give examples of the special cases in which other means of consulting Parliament have been employed instead.
§ Baroness Chalker of WallaseyIn the past, alternative procedures have occasionally been used to inform Parliament of treaties which the Government propose to ratify:
- (i) by adopting a Motion;
- (ii)by passing a Bill;
- (iii)by making an announcement in a debate;
- (iv)by adopting a Resolution or a Motion as part of the Affirmative Resolution procedure for making an Order in Council;
- (v)by answering a parliamentary Question;
- (vi)by consulting leaders of the Opposition and other Parliamentary parties.
However, no records are available of specific cases in which such alternative procedures have been employed during the last 15 years.