Part XIIAdvisory Bodies and the Duty to Consult

Consultation with the Social Security Advisory Committee

151Committee’s report on regulations and Department’s duties

(1)

The Committee shall consider any proposals referred to it by the Department under section 149 above and shall make to the Department a report containing such recommendations with regard to the subject-matter of the proposals as the Committee thinks appropriate.

(2)

If, after receiving a report of the Committee, the Department lays before the Assembly any regulations which comprise the whole or any part of the subject-matter of the proposals referred to the Committee, the Department shall lay with the regulations a copy of the Committee’s report and a statement showing—

(a)

the extent (if any) to which the Department has, in framing the regulations, given effect to the Committee’s recommendations; and

(b)

in so far as effect has not been given to them, the Department’s reasons why not.

(3)

Section 41(3) of the M1Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954 (procedure for laying documents before the Assembly) shall apply in relation to any document which by virtue of subsection (2) above is required to be laid before the Assembly as if it were a statutory document within the meaning of that Act.

(4)

In relation to regulations required or authorised to be made by the Department in conjunction with the Department of Finance and Personnel, any reference in this section or section 150 above to the Department shall be construed as a reference to the Department and the Department of Finance and Personnel.