Appendix 2 S.I. 2004/640: memorandum from
the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Wildlife and Countryside (Registration and Ringing
of Certain Captive Birds) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2004
(S.I. 2004/640)
1. The Committee has requested a memorandum addressing
the following questions—
This instrument was made on 8 March and laid before
Parliament on 9 March. Has it been printed and put on sale? If
so, when did this happen? If not, why not? Has it been placed
on the HMSO website? If not, why not?
2. The Instrument was
printed and put on sale on 31 March 2004, and placed on the HMSO
website on the same date.
31 March 2004
S.I. 2004/640: further memorandum from the Department
for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
1. The Committee has requested a memorandum addressing
the following questions -
The Department's memorandum of 31 March 2004 does
not explain why the instrument had not been printed and put on
sale before the Committee asked its question.
(1) When was the instrument sent for printing?
(2) Explain the reasons for any delay between
the date of laying and the date of sending for printing.
(3) Given that a proof of the instrument appears
to have been obtained before the instrument was made, and that
no significant alterations were required following making, explain
any delay between the sending of it for printing and 31 March.
(4) Would these delays have been avoided if
the instrument had been produced using the S.I. template? What
steps is the Department taking to make full use of the template?
2. The Department responds as follows:
3. The instrument was sent for printing on 24 March
and was delivered to TSO on 25 March.
4. Due to staff shortages, there was a delay between
laying the SI on 9 March and sending for printing on 24 March.
The SI section has been one staff short since January 2004 to
Easter and has been working under constant pressure. Nevertheless
the Department regrets the delay and will seek to ensure that
future publication deadlines are met.
5. There was no delay between sending for printing
and the 31 March, the date of publication. The publication folder
was handed to our messenger on 24 March and it was delivered to
TSO on 25 March. TSO arranged for publication on 31 March.
6. In the Department's view, these delays would have
been avoided had the instrument been registered and published
using the SI template procedure. This SI was produced on the SI
template, however in this instance lawyer's were content for proofs
to be obtained before publication. Internal guidance that proofs
are not required when the template has been used was, regrettably,
overlooked. Lawyers drafting SIs receive template training and
during the period January - March 2004, the Department had approx
27% take-up rate for using the SI template. This is expected to
increase over the next few months.
30 April 2004
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