§ Mr. CotterTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales which Minister in his Department has responsibility for regulatory reform; and if he will make a statement. [117416]
§ Mr. Paul MurphyI refer the hon. Member to the answer given today to my hon. Friend the Member for Scarborough and Whitby (Mr. Quinn) by the Minister for the Cabinet Office.
The executive functions of the Secretary of State for Wales transferred to the National Assembly for Wales on 1 July 1999. Section 65 of the Government of Wales Act 1998 requires the Assembly to make provision within its subordinate legislation procedures for regulatory appraisals before a draft of the relevant statutory instrument is laid before the Assembly.
However, I also retain an interest in how UK Government regulatory reform affects Wales.