Commentary on Sections Part 2 – Publication Etc. of Welsh Legislation Section 37T – Draft Welsh statutory instruments
100.Although copies of certain draft statutory instruments, Scottish statutory instruments and Northern Ireland statutory rules are published online at www.legislation.gov.uk, the Welsh Ministers do not usually ask for drafts of statutory instruments they intend to make to be published there. This is because all draft statutory instruments that are subject to the approval of the Senedd before they can be made are published on the Senedd’s own website (www.senedd.wales). This provides a comprehensive record of draft instruments, with the legislation.gov.uk website providing a full record of all made statutory instruments.
101.Nonetheless, section 37T provides that if the responsible authority asks the King’s Printer for Wales to publish a draft Welsh statutory instrument, the King’s Printer for Wales must publish this online. The Welsh Ministers could, for example, ask for a particular draft instrument to be published if this was considered appropriate. Under section 37Y the King’s Printer may print and sell hard copies of a draft Welsh statutory instrument (but is not required to do so).