What is generally known as secondary legislation takes the form of statutory instruments (SIs), often detailed and technical in nature, which give effect to measures authorised in general terms by Acts of Parliament. Some 2,000 SIs are enacted each year.
Alistair Lexden is a member of the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments which checks that SIs follow rules that Parliament has agreed. One of them requires that those who will be affected by new SIs are given sufficient time to prepare for the legal changes that they will introduce.
In a short Lords debate on a SI relating to financial services on 25 June, Alistair Lexden drew attention to the undue haste with which it had been introduced. He was supported by other speakers in the debate. Lord Bates, the Minister in charge of the SI, apologised, saying: “I accept that we have not met the standard that we would want to have set ourselves… and will look to ensure that this type of situation does not happen again.”
Follow the link to read the brief debate in full… Hansard