Letter from Minister Madders and Lord Leong to Baroness Drake, Chair of the Constitution Committee, regarding the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill (18 November 2024)

This is the government's response, published 22 November 2024.

Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.

The government gives its "initial views" on the Committee's six points, restating the case for the Bill's delegated powers while saying it is "further reflecting" on the use of delegated legislation and its safeguards.

• On the recommendation that powers to create or widen criminal offences by delegated legislation be removed (clauses 3 and 6), the government says the clauses "were given very careful consideration" and that any such use will be subject to the affirmative procedure.
• On EU alignment (clauses 1(2) and 2(7)), the government "appreciate[s]" the Committee's view but does not accept that primary legislation is needed. It says the clauses give the UK a choice, "under the scrutiny of Parliament", to recognise or end recognition of EU laws.
• On the clause 9(4) Henry VIII power, the government says it is for "minor, technical changes" and "not intended to be used to make substantive policy changes".
• On devolution, it says it "will continue to engage with the Devolved Governments", noting the Bill was shared with them on 4 September. On the UK Internal Market Act, it says the Bill "does not seek to change that position".

Read the government's response ↗ Report an error