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important policy matters on which no legislation was proposed. Once again, the programme was at the limit of what could be managed. It would be essential for colleagues to take a very close interest in the preparation Bills for which they were responsible, and to resist the pressure to add new proposals to their Bills during their passage through Parliament. It was already clear that some Bis might not be ready for early introduction as hoped, and that others had been extended beyond the limits originally envisaged. The previous two Sessions had demonstrated the importance of making an early start with major ls, and it would be vital to ensure that as many main Bills as possible received a Second Reading before Christmas, despite the late start to the Session.
In the course of discussion a number of drafting amendments to the text of the Speech were agreed. In addition, the view was expressed that some of the current delays in preparing draft (Bis for the forthcoming Session could not be blamed on late policy instructions from Departments. Even in cases where instructions had been sent in good time, Parliamentarynsel had not always been able to respond promptly. This was because the draftsmen were still working on the amendments needed to Bills which were completing their final stages during the spillover. On the other hand, the delays currently being experienced reinforced the need to consider whether problems could be reduced by involving extra drafting resources from outside Government.
THE PRIME MINISTER, summing up the discussion said that the Lord President of the Council should circulate a final text of the Queen's Speech incorporating the changes agreed by Cabinet. The forthcoming Session of Parliament would again be heavy, and it would be important to finalise the main Bills quickly so that they could be introduced in Parliament as early as practicable. Colleagues in charge of Bills should cooperate with the Lord President in ensuring that this objective was achieved. President of the Council should have in mind the comments made by colleagues about the drafting of Government Bills in carrying forward the work he already had in hand on this matter.
The Lord
The Cabinet -
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Took note, with approval, of the Prime Minister's
summing up of their discussion and invited the Lord
President and Ministers in charge of Bills to proceed fordingly.
Cabinet Office
2 November 1989
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