§ Mr. SteenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the rules and regulations in his Department which have been withdrawn in the last 12 months, or which his Department plans to withdraw in the next 12 months; and what impact this will have on his Department's manpower.
§ Mr. ArbuthnotTwo items of legislation for which this Department is responsible and which place an obligation on business or the general public have been withdrawn—as opposed to amended or replaced—during the past 12 months
From 10 October 1994, regulations 37, 38, 41 and 42 of the Industrial Injuries (Prescribed Diseases) Regulations 1985 were repealed. These required periodic medical examinations of people engaged in certain occupations involving a risk of pneumoconiosis. The savings to the Department was approximately £100.000 per annum in medical and X-ray costs.83WThe Occupational Pension Schemes (Friendly Societies) Regulations 1976 (SI 1976 No 598) have been revoked with effect from 7 February 1995. These were redundant following introduction of the Friendly Societies Act 1992 which allowed incorporated and registered friendly societies to carry out group insurance without approval.Neither had an impact on this Department's manpower.The Department is continuing to identify rules and regulations for withdrawal. Those for withdrawal in the next 12 months will be announced as and when consultations are completed.