Source · Select Committees · Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
Recommendation 20
20
Paragraph: 87
The resolution of the debate will not affect all coronavirus-related legislation.
Recommendation
The resolution of the debate will not affect all coronavirus-related legislation. For example, “lockdown regulations”, are made under the Public Health (Control of Diseases) Act 1984 and would therefore not be legally affected by the six-monthly reviews. The Government should set out clearly before the debate which legislation (and therefore which activities and aspects of the Government’s response to COVID-19) is not part of the Coronavirus Act and will not be affected by the debate and vote.
Paragraph Reference:
87
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
The Government recognises the Committee’s concerns and hopes that the briefings and analyses provided before the debate made clear the statutory basis of the changes brought about under the Coronavirus Act. The range of policies and interventions brought in under the Public Health (Control of Diseases) Act 1984 is a matter not just of public record but also made explicit in the material presented to Parliament as these Instruments are laid before it. We note also that the House of Commons Library service have also provided extensive briefings for Members to guide them through the legislative basis of the Government’s response, to lockdown in particular. (https://commonslibrary.parliament. uk/research-briefings/cbp-8875/) to the made affirmative procedure, in accordance with the requirements of the parent act, are debated by both Houses, and are made subject to obtaining the approval of both Fifth Special Report of Session 2019–21 13 Houses. Furthermore, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has made clear that, wherever possible, Regulations of significant national import will be debated and approved by Parliament before they come into force.