§ Dr. CableTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many regulatory impact assessments have been produced by his Department since August 2001; and if he will list those produced(a) following initial consultation with affected parties about the most appropriate methodology for assessing costs and other impacts and (b) which set out full commercial impacts, including profitability, employment, consumer prices and competitiveness, as recommended in Good Policy Making. [28397]
§ Mr. LeslieFull regulatory impact assessments are placed in the House Libraries.
The Good Policy Making Guide recommends that policy makers take early soundings from affected parties. The results of these informal consultations are not required to be produced in a RIA at this stage. However, Departments are advised to include a partial RIA in formal consultations. Consultations can be accessed via www.ukonline.gov.uk/citizenspace/consultations/.
The Good Policy Making Guide does recommend that as part of the RIA' s assessment of costs and benefits, any additional costs and indirect costs should be identified and quantified stating who or what bears them.
There is no specific requirement in the Good Policy Making Guide to consult on appropriate methodology, nor is there a specific requirement to set out the information at (b). The information is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.