Can bodies other than the Cabinet ask the Council’s advice?

The Upper and Lower Chambers of Parliament have been permitted to ask the Council’s advice since 1 January 1997. The first request for advice – which came from the Lower Chamber of Parliament – was about inadequate old-age pension entitlement and dates from December 1999. The Council issued its report in May 2000. In June 2002, the Upper Chamber asked the Council for its advice on the Bussemaker-Van Dijke bill, which concerned working hours. The Council’s report was issued in October 2002. The most recent advisory report requested by Parliament (Lower Chamber) is about market regulation (2010).