UK Statute Law Database - Current Limitations

Current Limitations

While the database reflects amendments to primary legislation, it is not up to date.

Also the database does not currently include:

• Pre-1991 repealed legislation;
• Most pre-1991 local Acts and revisions to post-1991 local Acts;
• Secondary legislation pre-dating 1991;
• The effect of revocations of or amendments to secondary legislation, so that the full text of post-1991 repealed legislation can be found without any indication as to its repeal;
• Orders in Council made under the Royal Prerogative;
• Northern Ireland Statutory Rules made between 1991 and 2005 which only affect Northern Ireland;
• Byelaws.

There are no plans to extend the database to include the above material. However, a Select Committee report on the "Merits of Statutory Instruments", published on 7 November 2006, recommended that the database should be extended to cover secondary as well as primary legislation. The government responded that this was indeed important, but that "he immediate priority is to ensure that a fully revised and up to date version of the official statute book is delivered for use by the public and that work on this is maintained. After this has been achieved consideration will then be given as to how work can be extended to updating secondary legislation."