HL Deb 13 March 1996 vol 570 c68WA
Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Why the reproduction of quasi-legislative material, such as codes and departmental guidance notes, will remain subject to licence under the Government's intended plans for the future administration of Crown copyright.

Earl Howe

Unlike Acts and statutory instruments, which form distinct series and are readily identifiable, quasi-legislative material is a much broader and more loosely-defined category. It embraces the publications of many departments and agencies which may have views in specific cases on the context of any reproduction. Nevertheless, a simple, standard licence (QLM/2) is already available to cover the value-added reproduction in print form of most quasi-legislative material and consideration is currently being given to how far a similar regime can be extended to electronic publishing.