§ Mr. GardinerTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what 777W requirements there are that changes in Government regulations and orders should be made publicly available before they come into force. [136171]
§ Mr. AlexanderI have been asked to reply.
The arrangements for production of all new regulations and orders are governed by the Statutory Instruments Act 1946 and the Statutory Instruments Regulations 1947. The Cabinet Office issues guidance to Departments in the form of the Statutory Instrument Practice manual (SIP), which can be downloaded from HMS Online at: http://www.hmso.gov.uk/services/si_practice.htm
The guidance in SIP sets out that the date chosen for the coming into force of new regulations and order s should take into account the production time for printing and publication. Where an instrument creates a new offence, Departments need to ensure that the instrument is issued in good time allowing the public to study the instrument before it comes into force.
All new instruments issued each day can be accessed on HMS Online at: http://www.hmso.gov.uk/legislation/whatsnew.htm and in the Statutory Instruments Issue List, which is published as part of The Stationery Office (TSO) Daily List of Publications. It is good practice for Departments to ensure publicity for all new instruments before they come into force.