TNAG-2690-FCO40-3892-Hong-Kong-Her-Majesty-s-Overseas-Civil-Service-(HMOCS)-poli-1994 — Page 68

e. whether it is likely to appeal to or be strongly opposed by any particular sections of the community.

Length

8.

An estimate of the length of the Bill is needed so that the

demands on the 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) should be given. The approximate number of clauses for

substantial and long Bills should be indicated. 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. Departments should consult their legal advisers about the likely length of Bills.

Parliamentary Procedure

9. A Bill may be suitable for a special form of Parliamentary procedure. Please state whether it might be suitable for or require any of the following:

a.

Introduction in the House of Lords.

b.

-

Second Reading Committee procedure in the House of

Commons that is, the Bill is likely to be accepted on all

sides of the House as uncontroversial and of little or no

political significance. (There is no need to mention this

specifically in the case of Bills categorised as

'uncontroversial'.)

C.

Scottish or

or Welsh Grand Committee procedure in the

House of Commons.

d. Offering to a Private Member successful in the Ballot.