§ Mr. SteenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many rules and regulations he repealed in the first three months of 1995; and how many new rules and regulations were introduced in that period by way of statutory instruments, motions or orders. [19375]
§ Mr. FreemanThe MOD is not a regulator of business and did not repeal or introduce any rules or regulations with a significant impact on business in the first three months of 1995.
§ Mr. SteenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what requirements there are for officials in his Department to introduce a compliance cost assessment for all rules and regulations coming before him and his Ministers; and how many compliance cost assessments have been issued in his Department in the first three months of this year. [19343]
§ Mr. FreemanThe permanent secretary has personal responsibility for overseeing the preparation of compliance cost assessments. Officials are required to follow the Department of Trade and Industry's advice contained in its booklet "Checking the Cost to Business A Guide to Compliance Cost Assessment" published in 1992. On 30 March 1995, the MOD published draft proposals for new reserve forces legislation. The document explained the need for a compliance cost assessment, described the costs that will need to be estimated and invited employers willing to help with this work to come forward. No completed CCAs were issued by MOD in the first three months of 1995.