§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent measures she has taken to ensure that new regulations do not place an unnecessary burden on small business. [59010]
§ Nigel Griffiths[holding answer 24 May 2002]: Regulatory Impact Assessments (RIAs) have to be produced for all new regulations, setting out clearly the costs and benefits with full recognition of small business concerns. The Department's policy is to "think small first": the Small Business Service has to be consulted on all RIAs to ensure that the impact on small firms is not disproportionate.