Asked by: Lord Pack (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent on 24 March (HL15443), what steps the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has taken in the last year to meet its legal duty to keep under review the question of when uncommenced legislation that falls within its area of responsibility should be brought into force.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office keeps under review the status of any legislative provisions falling within its areas of policy responsibility which have not yet been commenced. Decisions on commencement are taken in the normal course of policy making.
Asked by: Lord Pack (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent on 24 March (HL15443), what steps the Export Credits Guarantee Department has taken in the last year to meet its legal duty to keep under review the question of when uncommenced legislation that falls within its area of responsibility should be brought into force.
Answered by Lord Stockwood - Minister of State (HM Treasury)
The Export Credits Guarantee Department, operating under the name UK Export Finance, keeps the commencement and implementation of legislation within its area of responsibility under review alongside operational readiness and delivery of wider priorities. The only uncommenced legislation for which it is responsible is the Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Act 2026 which received Royal Assent on 18 March 2026 and will come into force on 19 May 2026, pursuant to Section 3(2).
Asked by: Lord Pack (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent on 24 March (HL15443), what steps the Home Office has taken in the last year to meet its legal duty to keep under review the question of when uncommenced legislation that falls within its area of responsibility should be brought into force.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
The Home Office keeps the commencement of its legislation under review, taking account of operational readiness and delivery of wider priorities.
This is alongside an established post-legislative scrutiny process. Responsibility sits with policy teams to monitor the status of provisions and determine appropriate timings for when they should be brought into force.
Asked by: Lord Pack (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent on 24 March (HL15443), what steps they have taken in the past year to meet their legal duty to keep under review the question of when uncommenced legislation concerning health and social care should be brought into force.
Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
Policy teams within the Department of Health and Social Care keep the commencement and implementation of legislation under review. In line with established processes, we are in contact with the Health and Social Care Committee in the House of Commons to undertake required post-legislative scrutiny of relevant legislation, which includes a review of the operation of the legislation, and highlighting any measures not commenced and plans to commence them.
Asked by: Lord Pack (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent on 24 March (HL15443), what steps the Cabinet Office has taken in the last year to meet its legal duty to keep under review the question of when uncommenced legislation that falls within its area of responsibility should be brought into force.
Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Cabinet Office conducts regular reviews to prioritise the commencement of legislation as soon as is reasonably practicable to do so, and taking into account departmental objectives.
The Cabinet Office has made two Commencement Orders in the past year to bring legislation within its remit into force as appropriate.
Asked by: Lord Pack (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent on 24 March (HL15443), what steps the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has taken in the last year to meet its legal duty to keep under review the question of when uncommenced legislation that falls within its area of responsibility should be brought into force.
Answered by Lord Whitehead - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Policy teams within the department are responsible for ensuring effective legislative practice within their area, including uncommenced legislation and considering when to bring forward commencement orders. Where needed, they draw on advice of legal professionals and our central legislative functions to support their delivery.
Asked by: Lord Pack (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent on 24 March (HL15443), what steps the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology has taken in the last year to meet its legal duty to keep under review the question of when uncommenced legislation that falls within its area of responsibility should be brought into force.
Answered by Baroness Lloyd of Effra - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology keeps the commencement and implementation of its legislation under review alongside operational readiness and delivery of wider priorities. This work is undertaken alongside established post‑legislative scrutiny processes.
Asked by: Lord Pack (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent on 24 March (HL15443), what steps the Department for Business and Trade has taken in the last year to meet its legal duty to keep under review the question of when uncommenced legislation that falls within its area of responsibility should be brought into force.
Answered by Baroness Lloyd of Effra - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Every year we are in contact with Parliament and the relevant Select Committee’s to undertake required post-legislative scrutiny of relevant legislation. Any post-legislative scrutiny will include a review of the operation of the legislation, and highlight any measures not commenced and plans to commence them.
The department will, as part of its usual process, continue to periodically review legislation within its area of policy development.
Asked by: Lord Pack (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent on 24 March (HL15443), what steps the Department for Education has taken in the last year to meet its legal duty to keep under review the question of when uncommenced legislation that falls within its area of responsibility should be brought into force.
Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
In the past year, we have committed in Parliament to undertake the required post-legislative scrutiny of the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill. This will include considering the coming into force of measures, where not yet commenced.
The department will, as part of its usual process, continue to periodically review legislation within its area of responsibility as part of policy development.
Asked by: Lord Pack (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent on 24 March (HL15443), what steps the Ministry of Justice has taken in the last year to meet its legal duty to keep under review the question of when uncommenced legislation that falls within its area of responsibility should be brought into force.
Answered by Baroness Levitt - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)
Relevant teams keep the commencement and implementation of past Acts under review in light of operational readiness, wider priorities and with consideration to developments across the justice system.
This is conducted alongside established post legislative scrutiny processes where appropriate.