Appendix 3: Further Detail on the RIS Publication Requirements
Departments should ensure that a suitable electronic version of the RIS (in ASCII or Microsoft Word format) is supplied to the Parliamentary Counsel Office (PCO) in sufficient time to enable it to be included in the copies of the draft Bill that are printed for submission to the Cabinet Legislation Committee (LEG).
RISs for incorporation in explanatory notes must, so far as possible, follow the standard format specified by the PCO, as the typesetting process for the printing of Bills imposes limitations on the format for explanatory notes to Bills. Departures from this format, or requests for the inclusion of non-text material such as tables or graphs, may not be able to be accommodated, or may result in delays in the production of LEG copies of the Bill.
Enquiries about the Parliamentary Counsel Office's (PCO) requirements for including a RIS in the explanatory note to bills should be directed to the PCO team leader responsible for the department's legislation.
The decision on the precise timing of publication of RISs is left to the responsible Minister and/or Cabinet. Ministers may wish to review and amend the RIS to ensure that it fully reflects the government's position and is of a high standard.
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