The Statutory Instrument tracker on Parliament's website enables you to follow the progress of all statutory instruments formally presented to Parliament and to see what stages are coming up next. Each statutory instrument has its own web page and this displays all stages in both Houses on a timeline. It is updated daily.
It provides the deadlines for annulling a negative instrument and also shows:
- a link to all debates, committee reports, and decisions in both Houses
- a link to the text of the statutory instrument and its explanatory memorandum
- whether the Joint/Select Committee on Statutory Instruments has reported on the statutory instrument
- whether the statutory instrument will be debated in a Delegated Legislation Committee or the Chamber
The titles of statutory instruments formally presented to the House are also published in the Votes and Proceedings on the day they are presented.
The text of statutory instruments, and the explanatory memorandum and notes (setting out their purpose), can be found on legislation.gov.uk or via Parliamentary Search. They are also available in hard copy from the Vote Office.
Each statutory instrument is given a number, which runs from number 1 each calendar year and is quoted in the form: SI 2018/1234. Statutory instruments are only given this number once they have been signed into law (‘made’) so draft statutory instruments (most affirmative statutory instruments are draft) don’t have the number yet. If a statutory instrument formally presented to Parliament has a number, it’s probably a negative statutory instrument. If it doesn’t, it’s probably an affirmative statutory instrument. But this isn’t a fail-safe way of telling the difference, so contact the Journal Office if you’re not sure.
Reports of Delegated Legislation Committees and debates on delegated Legislation in the Chamber are published in Hansard. You need to know the date the debate took place. You can ask the Public Bill Office (for Delegated Legislation Committees) and the Table Office (for Chamber debates) if you’re not sure. The Journal Office can provide general advice on statutory instruments.