Editing Statutory instrument (UK) (section)

=== Affirmative resolution procedure ===

Statutory instruments which are subject to affirmative resolution are less common, making up about 10% of the total.<ref name=L7p4/> This is the more stringent form of parliamentary control as it requires positive approval, rather than the absence of a decision to annul. Accordingly, it is used where the delegated legislation may be more controversial.

The parent Act may require that the proposed statutory instrument be approved by both Houses of Parliament (or, in the case of an instrument which relates to financial matters, by the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]] only) either:
* before it is made (i.e. in draft form),
* after it is made, but before it can come into force, or
* after it is made and has come into force, but it cannot remain in force for longer than a specified period (usually 28 days, excluding periods when Parliament is dissolved, prorogued or adjourned for more than four days) unless approved within that period.<ref name=SIPB/>

Once the instrument is laid before Parliament, the Government will move a motion in each House that the instrument be approved.

The last time a draft statutory instrument subject to affirmative procedure was not approved by the House of Commons was on 12 November 1969 when the House rejected four draft Orders relating to parliamentary constituencies.<ref>The draft Parliamentary Constituencies (England) Order 1969, the draft Parliamentary Constituencies (Wales) Order 1969, the draft Parliamentary Constituencies (Scotland) Order 1969 and the draft Parliamentary Constituencies (Northern Ireland) Order. See House of Commons factsheet L7, page 5</ref>