House of Commons Background Paper: Statutory Instruments - Commons Library Standard Note

Published 18 December 2012 | Standard notes SN06509

Authors: Richard Kelly

Topic: Legislative process, Parliamentary procedure

Acts of Parliament (primary legislation) often confer powers on Ministers to make more detailed orders or regulations by means of statutory instruments (SIs), also known as secondary, subordinate or delegated legislation. They are as much a part of the law as an Act.

In the region of 3,500 SIs are made each year. Many SIs are not subject to any parliamentary procedure, and simply become law on the date stated. Whether they are subject to parliamentary procedure, and if so which one, is determined by the parent Act.

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