X
b.
Legislative Programme
If a
On Saturday 11 April we shall also write to private secretaries seeking Departments' bids for the legislative programme. Conservative Government is returned, we shall invite prioritised bids for the full programme by close of play on Wednesday 15 April. We expect that a Conservative Government's programme would be largely made up of Bills on the candidate lists agreed by FLG Committee before the Election, and we would not be looking for the resubmission of bids on the rejected list. In the case of new bids, we would ask Departments to complete the usual pro- forma, and, for convenience, I attach (at Annex A) a copy of the Cabinet Office Guidance so that you can begin to commission the necessary work on a contingency basis straightaway. There would be no need to resubmit pro-forma for Bills included on the candidate lists but we
we would wish to know of any developments since bids were originally made, and in particular of the current state of play in clearing policy and getting instructions to
Counsel.
In the case of any new bids for Bills for introduction immediately after the Queen's Speech, FLG would need to make recommendations to
to the Cabinet at a very early stage. We would therefore ask for pro-forma for such Bills to be submitted by 3.00pm on Monday 13 April.
If there is a change of Government, the process of compiling a legislative programme will inevitably take rather longer. In these circumstances we shall seek prioritised bids for a full programme by close of play on Wednesday 22 April, on the basis of pro-forma on the standard lines. Pro-forma would be required for all Bills, including any which may previously been proposed by Conservative Ministers; for the latter category account will need to be taken
taken of the change of administration, particularly in commenting on the likely controversiality of the Bill.
Once again it would be necessary for FLG to make quick recommendations to the Cabinet on Bills for early introduction, and we would be looking for bids for urgent legislation by 3.00 pm on Monday 13 April.
We shall be writing separately about bids for private members bills, after the General Election.
C.
Contingency Planning
Against this background arrangements may need to be made for your Minister to be briefed over the weekend of 10/13 April to take decisions on any bids for urgent legislation, and to be given an opportunity to comment on passages in the draft Queen's Speech covering your Department's interests.
It is as yet too early to say which Ministers will be appointed to FLG. I would be grateful therefore if private secretaries would note the planned meeting of the Committee on 14 April and the likely timetable for the circulation of papers for the meeting.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.