§ 8. Mr. Peter L. Pike (Burnley)What targets he proposes to set for the better regulation programme for the next two years in removing unnecessary regulations. [86787]
§ The Minister for the Cabinet Office (Dr. Jack Cunningham)All Departments have been asked to identify outdated and unnecessarily burdensome regulations. We shall then set about removing them. We also hope to extend the scope of the order-making power in the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994.
§ Mr. PikeWill my right hon. Friend confirm that in a civilised society regulation is essential and that it is the Government's target to get rid of all unnecessary red tape and regulation and replace it with workable, acceptable regulations that help this country to be competitive?
§ Dr. CunninghamI agree with my hon. Friend. I congratulate him and his Committee on their work. I am anxious that we should provide more work for them.
§ Mr. Nicholas Winterton (Macclesfield)I have the highest regard and respect for the right hon. Gentleman. Can he give six examples of unnecessary regulations that his Government have taken off the statute book?
§ Dr. Jack CunninghamI am delighted to have the confidence of the hon. Gentleman and his support is always welcome. As for unnecessary regulation, there will always be a requirement for Governments to regulate. Indeed, in the last two years of the previous Administration there was more regulation than we have introduced in our first two years.