ABSTRACT
This directive describes the procedures for the planning of the Government’s legislative program and for the preparation and approval of the various Bills that comprise it. The directive also deals with aspects of the process whereby Bills are enacted by Parliament and with certain additional matters pertaining to legislation, notably Regulations. It is to be noted that the planning of the legislative program commences up to one year prior to the opening of the Session of Parliament in which the various legislative items are to be introduced. Experience has shown the necessity of spreading the planning and preparation process over the whole year, as opposed to confining it to the short period immediately preceding the Session in question. This stems in part from the established procedure for the approval of individual Bills. As described in more detail in the directive, this procedure involves three separate steps: Cabinet approval of the policy; drafting of the Bill, which in many cases proves to be a lengthy and difficult process in itself; and Cabinet approval of the Bill. The Cabinet Committee on Legislation and House Planning is charged with preparing the Government’s legislative program for each Session, keeping this program under constant review and examining in detail all draft Bills. Accordingly, departments and agencies whose Ministers are bringing forward legislative proposals are urged to keep in close contact with the Secretariat to that Committee and in particular, to inform the Secretariat of any significant changes in the Ministers’ plans.
