- Source: Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994
The Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994 (c. 40) is an Act of Parliament. It introduced wide-ranging measures with aims including reducing burdens on people in trade created by previous acts such as the Shops Act 1950, changes in transport legislation, changes in utility legislation, and changes in financial services, among others.
It also contained so called Henry VIII clauses, which meant ministers could amend previous primary legislation through order (i.e. drafted by the Secretary of State without a vote in Parliament).
The Act was largely repealed and replaced by the Regulatory Reform Act 2001. Part II of the Act, which as of July 2023 remains in force, includes a general power to outsource "any function of a Minister or office-holder" if the minister "by order so provides".
Repeals
The following acts were entirely repealed by this act:
Shops Act 1950
Shops (Airports) Act 1962
Shops (Early Closing Days) Act 1965
The following acts were partially repealed by this Act:
Merchant Shipping Act 1894 (57 & 58 Vict. c. 60)
Licensing Act 1964
Transport Act 1968
Post Office Act 1969
Local Government Act 1972
Employment Agencies Act 1973
Fair Trading Act 1973
Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973
Road Traffic Act 1974
House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975
Employment Protection Act 1975
Industrial Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1976
Employment Protection (Consolidation) Act 1978
Merchant Shipping Act 1979
Competition Act 1980
Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980
Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981
Employment (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Northern Ireland) Order 1981
Transport Act 1982
Telecommunications Act 1984
Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984
London Regional Transport Act 1984
Cinemas Act 1985
Insolvency Act 1985
Transport Act 1985
Weights and Measures Act 1985
Gas Act 1986
Building Societies Act 1986
Financial Services Act 1986
Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988
Road Traffic (Consequential Provisions) Act 1988
Electricity Act 1989
Employment Act 1989
Companies Act 1989
Environmental Protection Act 1990
Companies (Northern Ireland) Order 1990
Charities Act 1992
Electricity (Northern Ireland) Order 1992
Charities Act 1993
Trade Union Reform and Employment Rights Act 1993
Railways Act 1993
Sunday Trading Act 1994
References
External links
Text of the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994 as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk.