I am writing to confirm Cabinet's decision that in general, when submitting Minutes for Cabinet consideration, the '10-day Rule' will apply. That is, except in urgent circumstances, 'in-principle' Cabinet Minutes will not be listed until ten days after they have been received by The Cabinet Office. However, that is not to say that Minutes will be automatically listed ten days after receipt.

Ministers should remind their departments and offices that in order to ensure the efficient operation of Cabinet, their advice on Cabinet Minutes should be provided expeditiously to The Cabinet Office. Priority should be given to "AA" items which will be designated on the 'compliments slip' requesting advice.

Finally, I would like to stress that it is critical that Ministers be given the opportunity to read and consider proposals prior to formal Cabinet discussion. Accordingly, I have asked The Cabinet Office to ensure that no Cabinet Minutes - Discussion Papers are issued after close of business on Thursday (for both Monday or Tuesday meetings in the forthcoming week) so that Ministers will save the weekend to read their papers.

There will be exceptions to that practice; for example, extremely urgent matters, bills without significant variations that can be dealt with through a Parliamentary Counsel's report, and appointments. However, Ministers will have to explain why the matter is extremely urgent and why it is not possible to deal with it in the normal timeframe.

I believe that if these procedures are adhered to, we will ensure that there is a proper opportunity for all Ministers to participate in decision-making and to enhance collective decision-making and responsibility.

John Fahey
Premier