Written question asked by Lord Lester of Herne Hill (Liberal Democrat), in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 25 February 2003. It was answered by Baroness Scotland of Asthal (Labour) on Tuesday, 25 February 2003.

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Scotland of Asthal, Baroness

Question

Whether they consider it to be in accordance with contemporary principles of British parliamentary democracy for legislation to be necessary (in a political, if not a legal sense) to authorise an extension of Ministers' powers; and, if not, why not; and further to the Written Answer by Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 22 January 2003, 643 c98WA, whether reliance on the so-called Ram doctrine is compatible with a modern system of public law, including the principles of legality and legal certainty; and, if so, how; and in what circumstances and upon how many occasions during the past five years Ministers of the Crown and their departments have relied upon the Ram doctrine as the legal basis for the exercise of their public powers; and what were the circumstances that gave rise to the Ram doctrine. [HL 1275;HL 1302;HL 1598;HL 1599].

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Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

645 c12-3WA; HL 1275;HL 1302;HL 1598;HL 1599

Session

2002-03

Subjects

Constitutional and administrative law Government departments Legislation Ministerial powers Public law