Written question asked by Lord Stunell (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 14 March 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 22 March 2001. It was answered by Baroness Beckett (Labour) on Thursday, 22 March 2001 on behalf of the Leader of the House of Commons.

President of the Council;Leader of the House of Commons

Question: To ask the President of the Council, how many (a) clauses there were in government bills as introduced and (b) government amendments were tabled, in sessions (i) 1996-97 and (ii) 1999-2000; and if she will give a ratio between both figures for both sessions. - Includes table and fact that number of government amendments disproportionate cost.

Answer: Mr. Stunell: To ask the President of the Council how many (a) clauses there were in Government Bills as introduced and (b) Government amendments were tabled, in sessions (i) 1996-97 and (ii) 1999-2000; and if she will give a ratio between both figures for both sessions. [154286] Mrs. Beckett: (a) Information{1} on the number of clauses and schedules is as follows: _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Year Clauses and Schedules on Pages on Introduction Pages on Royal Assent Introduction 1996-97{2} 896 1,044 1,143 1999-2000{3} 2,637 2,796 3,600 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. {1} The figures exclude Scottish, Consolidated Fund and Appropriation Bills. {2} House of Commons sat for 86 days and the House of Lords for 79 days. {3} House of Commons sat for 170 days and the House of Lords for 177 days. (b) Information on Government amendments could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 154286; 365 c314-5W
Session: 2000-01
Subjects: Legislative process Public bills Government bills Amendments and new clauses
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk