HC Deb 06 November 1995 vol 265 cc601-2W
Mr. Steen

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the rules and regulations he proposes to repeal or amend by means of a reference to the Deregulation Committee before the end of 1995; and if he will make a statement. [41521]

Sir Paul Beresford

I refer to the oral answer given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster earlier today.

Mr. Steen

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the estimated saving to the Exchequer by repeal of each rule and regulation which has so far been the subject of a reference to the Deregulation Committee from his Department; and in how many cases a compliance cost assessment has been carried out. [41522]

Sir Paul Beresford

My Department has not yet laid any draft order before the Committee.

Mr. Steen

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what regulations his Department proposes to repeal by the end of 1995; if he proposes to conduct a compliance cost assessment on each regulation repealed; and what is the estimated cost of undertaking a compliance cost assessment to assess the advantages or disadvantages of such a repeal. [41550]

Sir Paul Beresford

In response to recommendations made by the Health and Safety Commission in its review of regulations to simplify and clarify health and safety law, I will shortly be laying before Parliament the Health and Safety (Repeals and Revocations) Regulations 1995 which will repeal:

  • Section 133 of the Factories Act 1961
  • Homework Orders 1911, 1912, 1913, 1929 and 1938
  • The Slaughterhouse Order 1962
  • The Slaughterhouse (No. 1) Regulations 1962
  • The Slaughterhouse (No. 2) Regulations 1962
  • The Railway Running Sheds Order 1961
  • The Railway Running Sheds (No. 1) Regulations 1961
  • The Railway Running Sheds (No. 2) Regulations 1961
  • The Hours of Employment (Conventions) Acts 1936
  • The Horizontal Milling Machines (Amendment) Regulations 1934

This programme of repeals is concerned with reducing the burden of regulation on business. As they do not impose any new costs on business a cost-benefit assessment was not necessary.

I will also be laying before Parliament before the end of the year the Health and Safety Information for Employees (Modification and Repeals) Regulations 1995, which will remove 53 legal requirements to display posters and notices. However, it is estimated that these proposals will result in an overall estimated cost saving of £1.4 million over 10 years.

The cost to the Health and Safety Executive of producing a cost-benefit assessment will vary depending upon the complexity of the proposed regulatory package, and the amount of supporting information that needs to be collected. A cost-benefit assessment for a relatively straightforward proposal to repeal regulations, such as those of posters and notices, would typically be in the region of £5,000.