§ Mrs. RocheTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister how cost compliance assessments for legislation are arrived at; and what consultation there is with(a) business organisations and (b) representatives of small businesses before they are published. [33191]
§ Mr. FreemanThe arrangements for preparing compliance cost assessments are set out in "Checking the Cost of Regulation: A Guide to Compliance Cost Assessment", a copy of which is in the House Library. Responsibility for preparing the CCA rests with the official responsible for the policy proposal. A preliminary CCA should be prepared as soon as possible in the policy-making process. This should be refined as the policy proposal is developed, incorporating the views of business. Departments must consult business and representative bodies on the content of the CCA,518W preferably on the basis of their initial assessment. Small businesses must also be consulted and the impact on them of the proposal must be separately identified.
§ Mrs. RocheTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what representations he has made to EU colleagues about consulting(a) business organisations and (b) small business representatives while drawing up cost compliance assessment for European legislation. [33192]
§ Mr. FreemanThe best way of calculating the costs of new regulatory proposals is to consult business and consultation with small businesses is particularly important. I take every opportunity to make this point in contacts with my EU colleagues.