CONFIDENTIAL
PURPOSE
4. Please list the various topics to be covered by the Bill, briefly indicating the purpose in each case. This list should cover all the .substantive topics likely to be included. Because of their impact on
drafting capacity and parliamentary handling, the business managers and other members of Legislation Committee are likely to resist attempts to make substantial additions later on.
DEPARTMENT
5. Only the Department which would take the lead in preparing the Bill needs to be mentioned here. It is sufficient to use the short form: eg "DHSS", "DTp".
POLITICAL ASPECTS
6.
Please state briefly what, if any, public commitments have been given by the Government about the Bill's introduction or timing (NB firm commitments should not have been made without prior consultation with the Chairman of QL Committee, and in any case should normally be avoided until a prospective Bill has secured a place in the programme). Reference should be made to any relevant manifesto commitment. Please also cover briefly
a
its likely reception in Parliament, including whether it is likely
to arouse particular interest in the House of Lords;
1.
what the attitude of the official Opposition is likely to be;
whether it is likely to be controversial politically or for any other reason;
C.
d. whether there is pressure for the Bill from groups representing particular interests;
e. whether it is likely to appeal to or be strongly opposed by any particular sections of the community.
LENGTH
7. An estimate of the length of the Bill is needed so that the demands on drafting capacity and Parliamentary time can be assessed at the earliest possible stage. It will not normally be possible to give an accurate. forecast of the number of clauses and schedules, but some indication such as 'very short' (ie not more than 4 clauses), 'short' (5-12 clauses), 'medium' (13-25 clauses), 'substantial' (26-50 clauses) or 'long' (over 50 clauses) would be useful. If the Bill would be short but the schedules lengthy please say so. Where a Bill would cover more than one distinct
topic, please indicate roughly what proportion of the Bill would be devoted to each topic.
PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE
A Bill may be suitable for special forms of Parliamentary procedure. Please state whether it might be suitable for or require any of the following
•
a.
Introduction in the House of Lords;
CONFIDENTIAL