HC Deb 25 March 2002 vol 382 c738W
Mr. Flight

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations he has received from groups representing business and commerce regarding the burden of regulation and taxation on businesses. [44690]

Dawn Primarolo

As is normal in the run up to the Budget, the Government have received a number of representations from business organisations.

Mr. Flight

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if it is a goal of his policies to improve United Kingdom productivity that the burden of regulation on business should fall. [44724]

Mr. Boateng

The Government are committed to ensuring that regulations are fair and effective, so that they protect the vulnerable but do not stifle enterprise or productivity.

The Government have significantly strengthened the systems that control the regulatory burden. In February the Cabinet Office announced the "Government's Action Plan for Regulatory Reform" which included 260 reforms, with over 60 expected to make use of the Regulatory Reform Act.