§ Earl Russellasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many negative instruments have been rejected by Parliament since the general election of 1945; and what percentage of the total number of such instruments this represents; and [HL2626]
What number of affirmative instruments have been laid since the general election of 1945; how many of these have been defeated; and what percentage of the total this represents. [HL2564]
§ The Lord Privy Seal (Lord Williams of Mostyn)The information which follows has been compiled by the Journal Offices of the House of Commons and the House of Lords. The information was not systematically gathered until recently and while every effort has been made to identify all such instruments, the information may not be exhaustive. There are no records which would allow us to establish what percentage of the totals this would represent.
HOUSE OF LORDS
Negative Instruments
From the records that we have we know of only one incidence where the House rejected a negative instrument outright. It occurred on 22 February 2000, when the House of Lords agreed a Prayer to annul the Greater London Authority Elections Rules 2000.
Affirmative Instruments
From the records that we have we have found two examples of the House rejecting an affirmative instrument. In 1968 the House declined to approve the Southern Rhodesia (United Nations Sanctions) Order 1968. In 2000 the House declined to approve the Greater London Authority (Election Expenses) Order 2000.
HOUSE OF COMMONS
The information which follows includes some documents subject to proceedings pursuant to an Act which, although not statutory instruments proper, are subject to approval or rejection by the House.
25WA
Session Instrument Date (CJ ref) Procedure (Motions agreed to/negatived) 1953–54 Miscellaneous Control (Revocaton) Order 1953 (S.I., 1953, No. 1078) 11.11.195 3(15) Address for annulment1 1954–55 Town and Country Planning (Minerals) (Scotland) Regulations 1954 21.12.195 4 (30) Motion to approve copy defective and Speaker refused to put Question 1956–57 Solicitors' Remuneration Order 1956 26.11.195 6 (29) Motion for Address that Order be disallowed: no Teller for the Noes, so agreed to. 1968–69 Draft Parliamentary Constituencies (England) Order 1969 12.11.196 9(30) Govt Motion that order be not approved1 Draft Parliamentary Constituencies (Wales) Order 1969 12.11.196 9 (30) Govt Motion that order be not approved1 Draft Parliamentary Constituencies (Scotland) Order 1969 12.11.196 9(30) Govt Motion that order be not approved1 Draft Parliamentary Constituencies (Northern Ireland) Order 1969 12.11.196 9(30) Govt Motion that order be not approved1 1969–70 London Authorities (Transfer of Housing Estates, etc.) Order 1970 (S.I., 1970, No. 171) 18.03.197 0(220) Address for annulment1 1972–73 Statement of Immigration Rules for Control on Entry (HC (1971–72) 509) 22.11.197 2(41) Motion to disapprove1 1974–75 Town and Country Planning (Scotland) (New Town of Glenrothes) (Special Development) Order 1975 (S.I., 1975, No. 908) 30.06.197 5(515) Govt Motion for Address for annulment Road Vehicles Lighting (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 1975 (S.I., 1975, No. 1736) 05.11.197 5(713) Govt Motion for Address for annulment 1976–77 Lothian and Strahtclyde Regions (Greenrigg and Westcraigs) Boundaries Order 1977 (S.I., 1977, No. 10) 25.02.197 7(165) Motion for Address for annulment carried 1977–78 Draft Dock Labour Scheme 1978 24.07.197 8 (492) Approval Motion negatived1 1978–79 Draft children and Young Persons Act 1969 (Transitional Modifications of Part I) Order 1978 23.11.197 8(45) Oppn Motion that order be not made 1979–80 Paraffin (Maximum Retail Price) (Revocation) Order 1979 (S.I., 1979, No. 797) 24.10.197 9(188) Oppn Motion for Address for annulment 1982–83 Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules (HC (1982–83) 66) 15.12.198 2(95) Motion to disapprove1 1995–96 Draft Central Railway Order 1996 24.07.199 6(528) Approval Motion (under S. 9(4) of T&W Act 1992) negatived1 1 indicates Motion divided upon.