HL Deb 14 December 1998 vol 595 c131WA
Lord Mackay of Drumadoon

asked Her Majesty's Government:

  1. (a) what plans exist to prepare a database of statutory instruments;
  2. (b) by what date any such database could be prepared;
  3. (c) whether it would be possible to search any such database to establish which statutory instruments are currently in force;
  4. (d) whether they would propose to make any such database available on the Internet; and
  5. (e) if any such database has been started, whether they will make available on the Internet for the use of the general public that part which has already been prepared. [HL180]

The Minister of State, Cabinet Office (Lord Falconer of Thoroton)

There are no current plans to prepare a database of statutory instruments (SIs).

Since 1 January 1997 all new SIs have been published on the HMSO Internet Web site. HMSO is currently reviewing the presentation of SIs and has undertaken a consultation exercise via a questionnaire on the Web site. Creation of a database, which will provide the ability to search for SIs which have come into force, is an option under consideration. There are, however, no current plans to apply the effects of legislation and the SIs will be reproduced as originally published on behalf of the Queen's Printer.

The Statute Law Database which is currently under development by the Statutory Publications Office within the Lord Chancellor's Department will contain the full text of all SIs from 1991 onwards which have been printed and published by or on behalf of the Queen's Printer. Although the SIs will be fully searchable there are currently no plans to apply the effects of legislation to these. Decisions have yet to be taken as to how the database is to be made available to the general public.