Clause 34
Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Bill [Lords]
4:45 pm
Mark Prisk (Shadow Minister, Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform; Hertford and Stortford, Conservative)
I beg to move amendment No. 33, in clause 34, page 16, line 16, leave out from ‘Part’ to end of line 17 and insert
‘may not be made unless a draft of the instrument had been laid before, and approved by resolution of, each House of Parliament.’.
I was confused by the numbers. I heard 33 and assumed that it was the amendment. My apologies for that, Mr. Chope.
As hon. Members will see, clause 34 refers to various orders that Ministers may present to complete this legislation through this part of the Bill. The amendment seeks to ensure that they require the positive resolution of both Houses before becoming law. Part 2, which we are considering at the moment, introduces primary authorities which will affect most employers and every single local authority in our constituencies. Primary authorities will mean that many businesses in our constituencies will no longer be subject to the authority of our local authorities, and that is something that we need to consider. It is a radical departure from current practice. It is important that we, as hon. Members of this House, ensure that the workings of the new system are subject to proper scrutiny. Given that the LBRO will not be directly accountable to the House, is it not important that we ensure that the system is accountable to us? Rather than pursuing the negative resolution, I think that it is important to ensure that the system is covered by the positive resolution. I look forward to hearing the Minister’s response.