§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the role of business test panels in the European Community's legislative process; who will select delegates; how many will serve; how many panels will be formed; which organisations will be eligible to supply candidates; and what is the length of duration of their panel service. [53774]
Dr. John CunninghamThe test panel of European businesses is a pilot initiative of the European Commission to improve consultation on new EU legislative proposals with business, and particularly with small and medium-sized enterprises. It is an addition to the Commission's usual consultation procedures.
I am delighted that this new initiative was launched and given the backing of EU Ministers during the UK's Presidency of the EU. We are strong supporters of improved consultation in the EU legislative process and see this pilot as an important step towards achieving better European regulation. The UK intends to participate fully in the pilot phase, giving UK businesses a direct voice in the Brussels policy-making process. We are particularly keen to ensure that the needs of small firms are taken into account.
The UK's participation in the pilot will be co-ordinated by the Better Regulation Unit in the Cabinet Office. Business panels will be selected according to the proposals under review. New panels will be constituted for each proposal. Officials are currently in discussion with business organisations and other Government Departments to identify a representative panel to comment on the first area, an amendment to the Directives dealing with annual accounts—(78/660/EC) and (83/349/EC). We expect to issue short questionnaires to about 300 UK firms in the Autumn.