HC Deb 13 May 1996 vol 277 cc625-6
7. Mr. Jim Cunningham

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many firms with fewer than 100 employees are represented on the Government's deregulation task force. [27671]

Mr. Freeman

We do not hold figures for the number of people employed by each of the firms that has a member on the deregulation task force. However, three of the 12 business representatives are from small firms.

Mr. Cunningham

Will the Minister explain why there are more ex-Tory Members of Parliament on the deregulation task force than small business men, bearing it in mind that 99 per cent. of the task force's work involves small businesses?

Mr. Freeman

The appointments to the deregulation task force—the posts are unpaid—are drawn from those with expertise in different sectors of the economy. I pay tribute to the work of the task force under its current chairman, the right hon. Francis Maude, who has made a valuable contribution to identifying areas in which we should deregulate. Criticism of the deregulation task force comes ill from a party that, as I understand it, wants to scrap the task force and the deregulation unit in the Cabinet Office.

Mr. Steen

rose—

Madam Speaker

It is scarcely deserving, Mr. Steen, but I shall recognise you.

Mr. Steen

I explained the circumstances that brought me into the Chamber, and on the way I was delayed by a call that all of us understand.

Is not the problem with deregulation one of culture, and is not the culture of this place—of hon. Members, Ministers and civil servants—geared to passing more laws? This place spends all its time passing laws. Until we change that culture so that Ministers, hon. Members and civil servants do not think about passing more laws, we will not make the progress on deregulation that we should like.

Mr. Freeman

Had my hon. Friend been able to put the question on which I had done a considerable amount of research, I might have been able to tell him that, in changing the culture, it is very important for Departments to focus on areas for repeal of primary and secondary legislation. We have made a good start by identifying 1,000 necessary repeals or amendments. We have already dealt with more than 600 of those, and the remaining 400 will have been dealt with by the end of this calendar year. That culture change should apply not only to Whitehall but to Brussels.