Decision on a motion (prayer) to stop the instrument being law deferred (House of Commons) Procedures

House of Commons

A step of type Business step.

After the moment of interruption (the time at which the main business must usually finish), any division on a statutory instrument motion is deferred until the following Wednesday.

There are 2 procedures.

1. Made negative

   Instruments subject to the made negative procedure do not require approval in Parliament before becoming law. These instruments may come into force on any date after being laid. Instruments concerning taxation are not laid in the Lords. Either House may pass a motion within the objection period which annuls the instrument and stops it having effect.

2. Draft negative

   Instruments subject to the draft negative procedure are laid in draft and do not require approval in Parliament before being signed in law. Instruments concerning taxation are not laid in the Lords. Either House may pass a motion within the objection period which prevents the instrument being signed into law. The instrument cannot be signed into law by a Minister until the end of the objection period.