In “The Governance of Britain—The Government's Draft Legislative Programme” (CM 7175) the Government set out how the proposed Bills will apply to the Devolved Administrations of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland on the basis of current plans. In many cases discussions will continue to take place with the Devolved Administrations and the Government are mindful to ensure that it honours the commitments to consult and communicate with them on such matters, made in the “Memorandum of Understanding with the Devolved Administrations”.
Table summarising the details published in the Draft Legislative Programme:
Bill The Bill will apply to Children in Care Bill England and Wales. Child Maintenance and Other Payments Bill England and Wales; The permission of the Northern Ireland Assembly is required for a provision in Schedule 6 of the Bill. This provides for the exchange of information between the UK and Northern Ireland statutory child maintenance services. Climate Change Bill United Kingdom. Constitutional Reform Bill United Kingdom. Coroners Bill England and Wales; apart from amendments to the Treasure Act 1996 which will extend to Northern Ireland. Counter Terrorism Bill United Kingdom. Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill England and Wales; certain reserved and expected provisions also extend to Scotland and Northern Ireland. Crossrail Bill England. Education and Skills Bill England and Wales. Employment Simplification Bill Great Britain. Energy Bill A mixture of devolved and reserved matters so the UK Government will work with the Devolved Administrations. European Communities (Finance) Bill United Kingdom. Health and Social Care Bill United Kingdom; this is a portmanteau bill so the extent of the measures will be different for each policy area. Housing and Regeneration Bill England and Wales. Human Tissue and Embryo Bill United Kingdom for assisted reproduction and embryo research. England, Wales and Northern Ireland for other human tissue and cell research. Local Transport Bill England and Wales; certain reserved provisions also extend to Scotland. National Insurance Contributions Bill United Kingdom. Pensions Bill Great Britain. Planning Reform Bill A mixture of UK, England and Wales and England only. Planning Gain Supplement Bill United Kingdom; PGS revenues generated in the Devolved Administrations would be returned to the country in which they were generated. The use of PGS funds in the Devolved Administrations would be determined by the relevant administration. Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Bill LBRO provisions would apply to England and Wales only; The Macrory Provisions extend to England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland but are of restricted application in respect of devolved matters. Sale of Student Loans Bill England. Unclaimed Assets Bill United Kingdom--there are a mixture of reserved and devolved functions.
The Government endeavour to subject Bills to pre-legislative scrutiny, where timing and other constraints allow. As indicated in the Government's recently published Draft Legislative Programme (CM7175), 58 draft Bills have been published since 1997.
The publication of the Draft Legislative Programme is the first time public consultation has been sought before the Queen's Speech and is a further element in the exposure of legislative plans to scrutiny ahead of introduction. The Government believe this consultation will lead to better engagement between MPs, peers and the people.