Welfare Reform Bill

Amendment 22 22: Clause 1, page 3, line 47, at end insert— "17C Procedure for regulations under sections 17A and 17B (1) Before the Secretary of State makes any regulations under section 17A or 17B, he must consult such persons as appear to him to be likely to be affected by his proposals. (2) Where those proposals affect any local authorities in Wales, the Secretary of State must also consult the Welsh Ministers. (3) If, following consultation under the preceding provisions of this section, the Secretary of State proposes to make regulations under section 17A or 17B he must lay before each House of Parliament a document which— (a) explains his proposals, (b) sets them out in the form of draft regulations, (c) gives details of consultation under subsection (1), and (d) where consultation has taken place under subsection (2), sets out the views of the Welsh Ministers. (4) Where a document relating to proposals is laid before Parliament under subsection (3), no draft of any regulations under section 17A or 17B to give effect to the proposals (with or without modifications) is to be laid before Parliament in accordance with subsection (8) until after the expiry of the period of sixty days beginning with the day on which the document was laid. (5) In calculating the period mentioned in subsection (4) no account is to be taken of any time during which— (a) Parliament is dissolved or prorogued, or (b) either House is adjourned for more than four days. (6) In preparing draft regulations the Secretary of State must consider— (a) any representations made during the period mentioned in subsection (4), (b) any resolution of either House of Parliament, and (c) any recommendations of a committee of either House of Parliament charged with reporting on the draft regulations. (7) Draft regulations laid before Parliament in accordance with subsection (8) must be accompanied by a statement of the Secretary of State giving details of— (a) any representations considered in accordance with subsection (6), and (b) any changes made to the proposals contained in the document laid before Parliament under subsection (3). (8) Regulations under section 17A or 17B are not to be made unless a draft of the regulations has been laid before and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.""