HL Deb 13 February 2002 vol 631 cc157-9WA
Earl Russell

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many affirmative instruments were tabled during the Parliament of 1997-2001; and [HL2559]

How many affirmative instruments tabled during the Parliament of 1997-2001 were debated:

  1. (a) on the Floor of the House of Commons;
  2. (b) in a Committee of that House;
and what percentage of the total this represents in each case; and [HL2560]

How many negative instruments were tabled during the Parliament of 1997-2001; and [HL2621]

How many negative instruments were debated during the Parliament of 1997-2001:

  1. (a) on the Floor of the House of Commons;
  2. (b) in a Committee of the House of Commons;
and in each case what percentage of the total number of such instruments this represents. [HL2622]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

The information sought is a matter of public record. Details of the number and type of instruments tabled and their handling by the House of Commons can be found in the sessional returns published annually by the House of Commons. The sessional returns for the 1997-2001 Parliament can also be found on-line athttp://www.publications.parliament.uk/pakm/cmhocpap.htm.

Earl Russell

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many affirmative instruments tabled during the Parliament of 1997-2001 were the subject of a vote

  1. (a) on the Floor of the House of Commons;
  2. (b) in a Committee of that House;
and what percentage of the total this represents in each case. [HL2561]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

The following information has been supplied by the House of Commons Journal Office.

Affirmative instruments laid before the House of Commons and subject to vote on the Floor of the House or in Standing Committee, Session 1997-98 to 2000-01
Session Affirmatives laid Divisions in House (%) Divisions in Standing Committee (%) Total divisions (%)
1997-98 225 6 (2.7%) 16 (7.1%) 22 (9.8%)
1998-99 178 3(1.7%) 18 (10.1%) 21 (11.8%)
1999-2000 180 5 (2.8%) 6 (3.3%) 11 (6.1%)
2000-01 123 9* (7.3%) 8 (6.5%) 17 (13.8%)
Total 706 22 (3.1%) 48 (6.8%) 70 (9.9%)

*—of which four were deferred to the following sitting Wednesday.

Earl Russell

asked her Majesty's Government:

How many of the affirmative instruments tabled during the Parliament of 1997-2001 were defeated on a vote

  1. (a) on the Floor of the House of Commons;
  2. (b) in a Committee of that House; and what percentage of the total this represents in each case. [HL2562]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

None. Instruments considered in Committee in the House of Commons cannot be defeated on a vote since the motions for their approval etc are subsequently decided by the House of Commons as a whole.

Earl Russell

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many affirmative instruments tabled during the Parliament of 1997-2001 were withdrawn for redrafting following criticism

  1. (a) from within the House of Commons;
  2. (b) from outside bodies;
and what percentage of the total this represents in each case. [HL2563]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

The following information has been supplied by the House of Commons Journal Office.

Instruments subject to affirmative resolution withdrawn from consideration 1997-98 to 2000-01:
Session Number of instruments withdrawn
1997-98 17
1998-99 7
1999-2000 8
2000-01 7
Total 39

Records of the reason for withdrawal are not held centrally.