HL Deb 28 February 2000 vol 610 cc43-4WA
Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they consider that, in the light of the new procedure for the publication of updated notes on clauses (which provide an extrinsic source of statutory interpretation), the disadvantages of judicial recourse to parliamentary debates for the purpose of construing ambiguous legislation outweigh the benefits of the rule in Pepper v Hart [1993] AC 593. [HL1031]

Lord Falconer of Thoroton

The explanatory notes now provided alongside Bills and Acts are intended to assist the reader of legislation. In introducing them, the Government did not aim to create an "extrinsic source of statutory interpretation". If the notes are successful in the purpose of helping the reader, they may of course be read by judges as well as by others. The Government's view is that it is for the courts to decide what material they should take into account.