Delegated legislation can be controlled by

Analyze the question Delegated legislation (also called subordinate legislation) means laws made by bodies or persons such as ministers, government agencies, or local councils, to whom the legislature has given law-making power. The question asks how this power can be controlled.

Explain the concept The legislature (parliament or National Assembly) delegates law-making power, but it must still supervise how that power is used. Common controls include:

• Parliamentary supervision. Laws must be laid before the legislature, and members can question ministers, debate the laws, or annul them.
• Judicial review. Courts can declare a delegated law invalid if it goes beyond the powers given (ultra vires).
• Committees. Special legislative committees scrutinize delegated laws.
• Parent Act limits. The enabling law sets the boundaries of the power.

Step-by-step solution

• A. Report writing: This is not a recognized legal or constitutional control mechanism.
• B. Press conferences: These are used to pass information to the public. They do not control law-making.
• C. Parliamentary question time: Legislators question ministers about their actions, including the rules and regulations made under delegated powers. This holds the executive accountable, so it is a valid control.
• D. Threat of secession: This is a political threat, not a constitutional or legal control.

Answer: Option C, parliamentary question time. It allows the legislature to scrutinize and challenge the use of delegated powers.

Exam tip: For delegated legislation controls, remember "P-J-C": Parliamentary supervision (including question time), Judicial review, and Committee scrutiny. Any option that matches one of these is usually correct.