§ Mr. SteenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what arrangements his Department has to assess proposals for regulations relating to occupational pensions and national insurance contributions and their effect on existing small firms; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. JackThe Department regularly consults with employers organisations including representatives of small firms. As part of the Government's deregulation initiative, the Department also carries out compliance cost assessments on new proposals in both these and other fields to identify any impact that they may have on businesses of all sizes.
Additionally, in the case of occupational pensions, there is a statutory duty to refer, with limited exceptions, proposals to make regulations to the Occupational Pensions Board. The board, in considering such proposals and reporting back, consults a number of representative bodies including the Confederation of British Industry.