§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list those areas of executive action where he has discretion to act in respect of an individual without giving reasons for his decision. [20530]
§ Mr. HagueComprehensive records are not kept in the form requested. I exercise discretion to act in respect of an individual without a legal obligation to give reasons in the following subject areas, which provide examples of such powers. However, as a matter of practice and in accordance with the Government's code of practice on access to government information, reasons are usually given when there is an exercise of any discretionary power.
The subject areas, with examples are:
- 1. Agriculture, fisheries and food:
- eg section 18 Agriculture Act 1986
- section 33(5) Plant Varieties and Seeds Act 1964
- 2. Industry
- eg section 5 Thermal Insulation (Industrial Buildings) Act 1957
- 3. Employment and training:
- eg section 84(1) Factories Act 1961
- section 27 Children and Young Persons Act 1933
- 4. Education:
- eg section 99 Education Act 1944
- section 5 Education Reform Act 1988
325 - 5. Transport
- eg section 51 Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981
- section 17(2) Transport Act 1982
- 6. Housing:
- eg section 164 Housing Act 1985
- 7. Environment:
- eg section 15 Environmental Protection Act 1990
- section 44 Water Resources Act 1991
- 8. Health and social services
- eg section 123 Mental Health Act 1983
- section 86 National Health Service Act 1977.