The making of ‘policy’

Throughout the period intervention by the state in economic and social affairs in the interests of the community as a whole was generally considered to be both natural and desirable, and both government ministers and parliament devoted a great deal of time to such matters. Especially from the mid sixteenth century onwards the former were assiduous in collecting economic information, and seeking economic advice, and by the end of the period they were receiving an enormous volume of both. Large numbers of statutes devoted to the regulation of the economy and the proper ordering of society were forthcoming from parliament, especially in the sixteenth century, and then, after constitutional conflict had virtually paralysed its law making functions for much of the early and mid seventeenth century, again in the last part of the period. There were numerous proclamations issued by the crown which were quasi–legislative in effect, and especially before 1640 the Privy Council was exceedingly active on an administrative level, dealing with petitions, making enquiries, issuing instructions and settling disputes, often in connection with quite minor economic matters. But in no way can the sum total of all this activity be said to represent a coherent government economic policy.

For a start not all statutes were of official origin, for special interest groups could secure the introduction of bills to parliament either by means of a friendly M.P. or through a petition from outside, and M.P.s might propose legislation unprompted either by the crown or outside pressure.