§ Dr. CableTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many regulatory impact assessments have been produced by his Department since August 2001; and if he will list those produced(a) following initial consultation with affected parties about the most appropriate methodology for assessing costs and other impacts and (b) which set out full commercial impacts, 301W including profitability, employment, consumer prices and competitiveness, as recommended in Good Policy Making. [28404]
§ Angela EagleSince August 2001 the Home Office has produced two regulatory impact assessments (RIAs) on the Proceeds of Crime Bill; and the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Bill. These RIAs are in the Library. One consultation paper has been issued since August 2001, the Motor Salvage Operators Regulations 2002, this contained a partial RIA. The consultation paper can be accessed via the Home Office website or www.ukonline.gov.uk/citizenspace/consultations/.
On the Proceeds of Crime, consultation took place after the publication of the draft Bill. This consultation helped us review the draft Bill and some of our proposals and costings were modified. No assessment of commercial impacts was made.
No consultation with business was carried out before the Anti-Terrorism Crime and Security Bill was published. The RIA made it clear that many of the powers, with significant cost implications, would only be used should the need arise and a number of other measures would depend on the proposals to be covered in secondary legislation. Such secondary legislation will be developed in close consultation with the industry to ensure that there will be effective compliance with the measures proposed and that the costs of such compliance will be minimised.
I also refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister to him on 17 January 2002, Official Report, column 483W.