Source · Select Committees · Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
Recommendation 7
7
Paragraph: 48
The Committee is concerned by both the scale of legislation and the inability of Parliamentarians...
Conclusion
The Committee is concerned by both the scale of legislation and the inability of Parliamentarians to effectively amend COVID-19 legislation. The scale of legislation, covering a large number of statutory instruments made under multiple sources, makes it very difficult for even experts to follow what legislation is in effect. Even more concerning is the fact that Members have no mechanism to amend this legislation which is being made under statutory instrument. All stages of the Bill were taken through the House of Commons in one sitting day. This means Members had just one sitting day to fully influence and amend the Coronavirus Act. Members have no power to amend statutory instruments made under that Act. As we detail below, Members have had no opportunity to meaningfully engage with and amend the lockdown regulations under the Public Health (Control of Diseases) Act 1984.
Paragraph Reference:
48
Government Response
A response document is linked to this report, dated 9 December 2020. Response attribution to this conclusion has not been verified. Read the response document ↗