Scrutiny Of Subsidiary Legislation For Parliamentary Committees

The power to legislate is a function of parliament and, with minor  exceptions, the power can be exercised by no one else without the  express authority of parliament. Parliament, however, frequently  enacts legislation containing provisions which empower the executive  government, or specified bodies or office-holders, or the judiciary, to make  regulations or other forms of instruments which, provided that they are  properly made, have the effect of law. This form of law is referred to as  delegated legislation, or secondary legislation, or subordinate legislation  or legislative instruments. 

Since at law every delegate is subject to the authority & control of the  principal, Parliament through its specialised committees consequently  periodically scrutinises the exercise of delegated power and the delegated  legislation made by the delegates. The underlying object of parliamentary  control is to keep watch over the rule-making authorities & also to  provide an opportunity to criticize them if there is abuse of power on their  part. Parliament consequently exercises control taking into account the  framework or parameters for exercise of delegated power as contained  in a parent Statute. 

Therefore, the purpose of this course is to equip delegates with knowledge,  skills, and competence critical for effective exercise of the roles associated  with scrutiny of delegated legislation.