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agreed, it should be possible to carry out preparatory work on at least some of the Bills in advance of the ballot. There is no guarantee that a particular Bill will be taken up - that is a matter for individual Private Members – but if it is not chosen in one Session a ready-drafted Bill will remain available for subsequent Sessions. The list should include any Bills which were offered in previous Sessions without success and which you would like to offer again.
5. To be suitable for offering to a Private Member a Bill should normally be short, simple, non-financial and not controversial in party political terms. It may also be unsuitable if it is likely to be unpopular with prominent non-parliamentary interest groups, but such proposals may be included on the list provided that the likely reaction of outside groups is explained. Some idea of the order of priority should also be given.
Overlap between lists
6. It may be that some Bills merit places in the Government programme but would also be suitable for offering to Private Members. If genuinely suitable for both categories they should be included on both lists with a cross-reference in each entry to the other one. Inclusion in the Private Members' list as well as the Government one will not necessarily lead to the Bill being dropped from the latter by QL Committee; it is important for each entry to make clear whether there are any special timing considerations which could influence the choice which is finally made.
7. I should be grateful if bids could be sent to Legal Executive Section (Room WH 235) as soon as possible, but, in any event, not later than Tuesday 6 December 1983. Nil returns are required.
8. Copies of the returns submitted during 1983 for the 1983/84 Session are available in Legal Executive Section if required for reference.
JR FREELAND
SECOND LEGAL ADVISER
DISTRIBUTION:
Heads of Department (including ODA depts)
Legal Advisers
Parliamentary Clerk
Chief Passport Office
Bilateral Co-ordination Dept ODA, Miss Rees, E618 (30 copies)
Legal Executive Section, WH 235 (12 copies)
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