§ 3. Mr. SteenTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many statistical forms and surveys will be abolished as a result of the Government's deregulation initiative. [1299]
§ The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Mr. Roger Freeman)Our plans to cut the burden of statistical surveys are set out in our response to the recent Osmotherly group report; copies are available in the House Library. We have measured the burden and targeted savings in terms of the compliance costs to business. We will cut those costs by 26 per cent. by the year 2000, creating annual savings of £17.5 million.
§ Mr. SteenI welcome the Government's commitment to reducing bureaucracy and cutting red tape. Is my right hon. Friend aware of what the charity commissioners are up to? They have published a 95-page statistical survey which has to be answered by all charities, as a direct result of which Mencap in South Hams has had its audit fee increased from £700 to £2,056. That means that the money raised for the handicapped goes to the accountants.
§ Mr. FreemanI am grateful to my hon. Friend and I shall certainly look into the matter he has raised concerning the charity commissioners. One of the recommendations of the Osmotherly group with which the Government agree is that, if a small business—one employing fewer than 10 people—is asked to assist in a statistical survey, that should be the only one every three years. That should definitely reduce the burden on small business men.
§ Mr. HansonDoes the Chancellor agree that the fact that the deregulation task force is chaired by a prospective Tory candidate and that two other members of that task force are prospective Tory candidates shows that, as well as civil servants, there are also jobs for the boys in other formats?
§ Mr. FreemanI pay tribute to the reports of the deregulation task force in past years. The Government 5 have not agreed with all its recommendations, but the task force does an excellent job. The Labour party would not only discharge all members of the deregulation task force but probably close down the deregulation unit.
§ Mr. Mark RobinsonDoes my right hon. Friend agree that, while Britain is probably the most deregulated country in the European Union and the deregulation initiative is designed to keep it that way and improve the position, it would be a different story if the Labour party was in power, because it is the party of regulation?
§ Mr. FreemanMy hon. Friend is right. Labour Front Benchers and the parliamentary Labour party have no interest in deregulation. If a Labour Government were ever elected, we would get more regulations, quangos, commissions and reviews.