§ Lord Alexander of Weedonasked Her Majesty's Government:
What percentage of the time on the Floor of the House of Lords was spent in discussing statutory instruments in:
- (a) 1979–80;
- (b) 1989–90; and
- (c) the latest Session for which statistics are conveniently available; and [HL1638]
What percentage of the time on the Floor of the House of Commons was spent in discussing statutory instruments in:
- (a) 1979–80;
- (b) 1989–90: and
- (c) the latest Session for which statistics are conveniently available. [HL1676]
§ The Lord Privy Seal (Baroness Jay of Paddington)The Government do not keep the information requested, but the House of Lords Information Office has provided the following statistics.
Statutory Instruments discussed on the Floor of the House of Lords as a percentage of the total time of the House 1979–80 1989–90 1998–99 Affirmative Instruments 4.7 2.8 2.9 Other SIs 0.1 0.4 0.3 Source:
House of Lords Journal and Information Office sessional statistics.
Statutory Instruments discussed on the Floor of the House of Commons as a percentage of the total time of the House 1979–80 1989–90 1998–99 Affirmative Instruments 6.6 5.8 2.6 Negative Instruments 2.6 1.3 0.1 Source:
House of Commons Journal Office sessional statistics.
66WAIt may be helpful to note that in 1992 the Select Committee on Sittings of the House considered "that adequate debate could be achieved and time on the Floor freed through the referral of more instruments to standing committee". It recommended that affirmative instruments be automatically referred to Standing Committee. (HC (1991–92) 20-I, para 73). This recommendation was implemented.