§ Q3. Mr. SteenTo ask the Prime Minister what discussions he has had with other European political leaders about deregulation in respect of European directives.
§ The Prime MinisterThe Commission has said that it will bring forward proposals that will involve the simplification or repeal of about 25 per cent. of Community legislation.
§ Mr. SteenIn view of the Prime Minister's success in persuading the Commission of the need for greater deregulation, will he try and persuade the other European leaders of the need to embark upon a compliance cost assessment before any directive is implemented, so that every country in Europe knows the cost to its taxpayers before a directive is enforced and implemented?
§ The Prime MinisterMy hon. Friend is right to stress the importance of compliance cost assessment, and we are actively encouraging other member states in the Community to introduce systems similar to our own. We are seeking to strengthen the Commission's systems, so ensuring that all proposals for Community legislation are justified in terms of their costs and of their benefits, because the only rational way for Europe to behave in terms of its future legislation is to ensure that Europe becomes more competitive and avoids unnecessary on-costs and over-regulation.