HL Deb 02 March 1998 vol 586 c129WA
Lord Chesham

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is their definition of "a major policy statement" as referred to by the Lord McIntosh of Haringey on 16 February (H.L. Deb., col. 134). [HL703]

Lord McIntosh of Haringey

It is not possible to give a precise definition. Ministers take into account a number of factors in determining whether a policy announcement is of sufficient importance to require it to be made to Parliament in the first instance, including the likely degree of public and parliamentary interest.