Appendix 1
S.I. 2011/1984 and S.I. 2011/1985:
memorandum from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office
European Union Act 2011 (Commencement No.1)
Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/1984) and European Union Act 2011 (Commencement
No.2) Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/1985)
The Committee has requested a memorandum on the following
point:
Why were the provisions of these two instruments
not combined in a single instrument, thus halving the cost to
a purchaser of both?
In order to honour commitments given by the Minister
of Europe during the passage of the European Union Bill through
Parliament, it was agreed that arrangements should be made to
allow for the commencement of Part 1 of the European Union Act
2011 one month after the date of Royal assent. Accordingly, S.I.
2011/1984 made provision for the entry into force of Part 1 of
the European Union Act 2011 one month after the date of Royal
assent was granted.
It was not considered necessary to provide for early
commencement of the remainder of the European Union Act 2011 and,
accordingly, S.I. 2011/1985 European Union Act 2011 (Commencement
No.2) Order 2011 provided that for the remainder of the Act to
come into force two months after the date of Royal assent in accordance
with normal practice.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office accepts that
with the benefit of hindsight it would have been possible for
the two Orders to be combined in one instrument so as to halve
the cost to the purchaser as the Committee has suggested and acknowledges
the admonishment from the Joint Committee in this regard. We will
ensure that the point made by the Joint Committee is noted and
that going forward consideration is given to the possible cost
to the public when determining arrangements for commencement of
legislation.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
31 October 2011
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