The Week Ahead

Congress returns from its Thanksgiving break - to its "lame duck session", The Weekly Leader - the outline of the House of Representative's business for the week ahead is available here. There should be work on Appropriations and possibly further action on the DREAM Act. The Senate Armed Services Committee is due to hold hearings on the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy later in the week. Extending unemployments will also be a major issue in Congress this week.

At Westminster the House of Lords will be spending two days considering the Public Bodies Bill - proposed legislation which has caused constitutional outrage for the extent of the Henry VIII powers it gives to Ministers to rip up legislative provisions without further reference to Parliament. The other controversial Bill - The Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill - is also before the House on Tuesday. The level of anger at what is seen as outrageous Constitutional legislation is very high. The ruling by the Commons Speaker that the Savings Accounts and Health in Pregnancy Grant Bill is a 'money bill' has been seen as setting a dangerous precedent - which could stop the Lords scrutinising the policy behind the cuts. The Lords Chamber will be worth watching in coming days.

In the Commons the Chancellor is due to present his Autumn Statement. Tuesday will see two debates on education proposed by the opposition. One involves the coming cuts in school sports funding - and the other on Tuition Fees.

Henry VIII Clauses

The following written question was tabled and answered -

Mr. Maude: To ask the Leader of the House how many Henry VIII clauses were contained in primary legislation enacted in Session 2007-08.

Chris Bryant: Henry VIII clauses, which confer on Ministers the power to amend the statute itself by delegated legislation, or to amend other statutes, are included in legislation for a variety of reasons.

In some cases, such as section 6 of the Smoke Detectors Act 1991, they confer power to make significant and wide-ranging amendments to the parent Act. In other cases they may be used to make incidental and consequential amendments to existing Acts.

The Government do not routinely collect or hold information about the number of Henry VIII provisions so the information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

The Minister gives a succinct definition. The answer was disappointing in view of the concerns about the (perceived) increase in the use of such clauses. They transfer legislative power from Parliament to the Executive. For more on Henry VIII clauses see http://washminster.blogspot.com/2007/06/henry-viii-clauses.html