Do Statutory Orders (In British Law) have as much Power in enforcement as Legislation enacted by Westminster?

Question

I wish to know if Statutory Orders have as much strength in enforcement like Acts of Parliament. Do Statutory Orders have Royal Assent given by the Queen?

In addition, if a Statutory Order has been raised for Northern Ireland, can it be applied & used in the remainder of the UK?

I note in Northern Ireland that the Power Sharing Executive/Council of Ministers does not sit & please take into consideration Gordon Brown (Chancellor) statement about "Britishness", which took place at the weekend when considering a reply to the query Re Northern Ireland V Rest of UK.

What are Statutory Orders in comparison to ACTS of Parliament?

Answer 1

Maybe.

Answer 2

Requirement for a statutory instrument
Where an act made after the commencement of the Statutory Instruments Act, confers a power to make subordinate legislation it must be made in the form of a statutory instrument the following circumstances[3]:

where the power is conferred on the Queen in Council and expressed to be excercisable by Order in Council
where the power is conferred on a Minister of the Crown, to be exercisable by statutory instrument.
Where at present "Minister of the Crown" includes the National Assembly of Wales[4] but will apply to Welsh Ministers when they are created after the first ordinary election in 2007.[5]

A statutory instrument must also be used when exercising powers that required the use of a statutory rule under the Rules Publication Act 1893.[6]

Answer 3

Here is a good link which sets things out clearly. I would draw your attention to the Secondary Legislation section. http://ec.europa.eu/civiljustice/legal_order/legal_order_eng_en.htm

The Queen does not have to give Royal Assent in relation to secondary legislation and it does not necessarily have to be laid before Parliament. The position is somewhat analagous to that of an executive committee which acts on the directions of a board of directors. An Act of Parliament provides the legislative framework and a Statutory Order deals with the nitty-gritty.