§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will assess the operation of sunset regulation in the United States; and if he will make a statement. [136409]
§ Ms HewittThis Department is well aware of the use of sunset regulations in the United States and elsewhere. It is one of the many techniques available to improve 125W regulatory processes and we are already committed to using it in appropriate circumstances. For example, Part I of the Electronic Communications Act 2000—which received Royal Assent on 25 May this year—is subject to a 'sunset clause'.
§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will assess the impact of the United States Regulatory Flexibility Act 1980 and the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act 1996. [136408]
§ Ms HewittDavid Irwin, the Small Business Service Chief Executive, and I visited the US in March this year.
In addition, a delegation of the Small Business Council visited the US in October and is currently assessing the impact of that legislation. It will make recommendations on the merits of this type of approach to David Irwin in due course.
§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will assess the impact of the Family and Medical Leave Act in the United States. [136399]
§ Mr. Alan JohnsonAs part of the review of maternity pay and parental leave, I visited the US in July to learn about existing and proposed provision in the US and best practice in US companies. This included discussions with the Department of Labor on the Family and Medical Leave Act. The Department of Labor is currently undertaking an assessment on the Act's impact in the US, but data are not yet available.