The Committee has launched an inquiry to find out more about how framework bills impact on parliamentary scrutiny and stakeholders engaging with the Parliament on legislation. The Committee is also interested in hearing views of how Henry VIII powers are used.
Framework legislation sets out principles for a policy, but does not provide substantial detail on the face of the bill as to how that policy will be given practical effect. Instead, it provides broad powers to fill in the detail at a later point, most often by Ministers through secondary legislation.
Henry VIII powers allow Ministers to amend acts of parliament by secondary legislation.
The Committee ran a call for views in order for you to share your views on framework legislation and Henry VIII powers.
The Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) has produced an analysis of responses to the call for views.
Read the analysis (394KB, pdf) posted 22 November 2024
The inquiry was discussed at the following Committee meetings:
On Friday 6 December 2024 Committee members met with the House of Lords Delegated Powers and Regulatory Reform Committee (which has a remit similar to the Committee related to delegated powers in Bills), Lord Lisvane (former Clerk to the House of Commons) and the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel to hear about their experience of framework legislation and Henry VIII powers.
The views expressed during the discussions will be taken into account by the Committee as it progresses the inquiry.
Read the note of discussions (104KB, pdf) posted 06 January 2025
On Wednesday 22 January 2025 Committee members met with the Hon. Natasha Maclaren-Jones, Chair of the New South Wales Legislative Council Regulation Committee, to hear about the New South Wales experience of framework legislation and Henry VIII powers.
The views expressed during the discussions will be taken into account by the Committee as it progresses the inquiry.
Read the note of discussions (83KB, pdf) posted 28 January 2025
The Committee has sent and received the following correspondence during the inquiry:
A submission from Scottish Land & Estates, 16 January 2025