HC Deb 06 November 1995 vol 265 cc575-6W
Mr. Hanson

To ask the Lord President of the Council how many orders were put before Parliament in each of the years between 1979–94 during parliamentary recesses; and if he will indicate those Government Ministers responsible for those orders and the number of orders per Government Department.

Mr. Newton

The numbers of statutory instruments laid before the House of Commons in each year from 1979 to 1994, during parliamentary recesses, including Christmas, Easter, Whitsun and summer are as follows:

  • 1979: 236
  • 1980: 216
  • 1981: 206
  • 1982: 233
  • 1983: 170
  • 1984: 207
  • 1985: 161
  • 1986: 258
  • 1987: 232
  • 1988: 267
  • 1989: 253
  • 1990: 231
  • 1991: 323
  • 1992: 275
  • 1993: 293
  • 1994: 425

It would not be possible, except at disproportionate cost, to provide figures by reference to the presenting Minister or Government Department.

Mr. Hanson

To ask the Lord President of the Council how many orders were laid before Parliament during the summer adjournment; by which bodies; and on which date.

Mr. Newton

The number of statutory instruments laid before the House of Commons during the summer adjournment was 260. The Departments responsible were the Treasury (18), the Home Office (eight), the Department of Trade and Industry (13), the Department of Transport (16), the Privy Council (five), the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (18), the Department of the Environment (29), the Welsh Office (eight), the Department of Social Security (10), the Scottish Office (54), the Department of National Heritage (three), the Northern Ireland Office (nine), the Department of Education and Employment (12), the Department of Health (41) and the Lord Chancellor's Department (12). There were four Instruments from the General Synod, relating to ecclesiastical law, which were laid in the name of the Clerk of the House.