Ladkyis
17-12-2004, 9:41 PM
Placed here with the permission of Geoff Riggs
You will be well aware of the draft Regulatory Reform Order published in July intended to reform the law on registering births and deaths and the structure of the local registration service. This was the result of the White Paper, and the extensive consultations that followed, on the Future of Civil Registration.
The FFHS presented evidence in two written submissions, and oral evidence was given in person by our representatives, to the Regulatory Reform Committee of the House of Commons expressing our concerns about some of the issues that had emerged. We also presented that evidence in writing to the Delegated Powers and Regulatory Reform Committee of the House of Lords.
We have today been advised by the House of Commons that the Regulatory Reform Committee has concluded "that the order-making power under the Regulatory Reform Act 2001 should not be used in respect of the proposals contained in the proposal for the Regulatory Reform (Registration of Births and Deaths) (England and Wales) Order 2004, which was laid before the House on 22nd July, in the last Session of Parliament." That was the wording used by the Chairman of the Committee in his statement to the Commons earlier today.
This means the changes proposed CAN NOT be made by means of this Order !
Despite this, the GRO has advised us that it remains committed to the reform of civil registration and will explore options for proceeding with modernisation. The GRO had naturally been aware of our concerns about some of the proposals that were being made, and liaison meetings had been started between us to try to address them. We hope that the good relations we enjoy with the GRO will enable us to have input to their discussions where appropriate whilst they are addressing their future options for modernisation.
The House of Commons Committee's full report is expected to be published within eight working days and the report of the House of Lords Delegated Powers and Regulatory Reform Committee is also expected either later this week or early next week. We will naturally keep you advised of further developments.
Geoff Riggs,
Director of Computer & Internet Facilities,
Federation of Family History Societies
You will be well aware of the draft Regulatory Reform Order published in July intended to reform the law on registering births and deaths and the structure of the local registration service. This was the result of the White Paper, and the extensive consultations that followed, on the Future of Civil Registration.
The FFHS presented evidence in two written submissions, and oral evidence was given in person by our representatives, to the Regulatory Reform Committee of the House of Commons expressing our concerns about some of the issues that had emerged. We also presented that evidence in writing to the Delegated Powers and Regulatory Reform Committee of the House of Lords.
We have today been advised by the House of Commons that the Regulatory Reform Committee has concluded "that the order-making power under the Regulatory Reform Act 2001 should not be used in respect of the proposals contained in the proposal for the Regulatory Reform (Registration of Births and Deaths) (England and Wales) Order 2004, which was laid before the House on 22nd July, in the last Session of Parliament." That was the wording used by the Chairman of the Committee in his statement to the Commons earlier today.
This means the changes proposed CAN NOT be made by means of this Order !
Despite this, the GRO has advised us that it remains committed to the reform of civil registration and will explore options for proceeding with modernisation. The GRO had naturally been aware of our concerns about some of the proposals that were being made, and liaison meetings had been started between us to try to address them. We hope that the good relations we enjoy with the GRO will enable us to have input to their discussions where appropriate whilst they are addressing their future options for modernisation.
The House of Commons Committee's full report is expected to be published within eight working days and the report of the House of Lords Delegated Powers and Regulatory Reform Committee is also expected either later this week or early next week. We will naturally keep you advised of further developments.
Geoff Riggs,
Director of Computer & Internet Facilities,
Federation of Family History Societies