Gavin’s Gaily Gigest

Remember the Save Parliament campaign? It successfully fought against provisions in the Legislative and Regulatory Reform Bill (now an Act) that would have effectively abolished Parliament and allowed Ministers to rule by decree. The Government’s much heralded Draft Constitutional Renewal Bill contains a rather worrying, and remarkably similar, clause:

Part 6
FINAL PROVISION

43 Power to make consequential provision

(1) A Minister of the Crown, or two or more Ministers of the Crown acting jointly, may by order make such provision as the Minister or Ministers consider appropriate in consequence of this Act.

(2) An order under subsection (1) may —

(a) amend, repeal or revoke any provision made by or an Act;

(b) include transitional or saving provision.

(3) An order under subsection (1) is to be made by statutory instrument.

(4) A statutory instrument containing an order under subsection (1) which amends or repeals a provision of an Act may not be made unless a draft of the instrument has been laid before and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.

(5) A statutory instrument containing an order under subsection (1) which does not amend or repeal a provision of an Act is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

More details at Spyblog (hat-tip: Guido Fawkes)