§ Mr. HoramTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many new policy proposals or significant changes in policy were produced in(a) 2002–03 and (b) 2003–04; how many of these were screened for their environmental impacts; and how many were the subject of separate environmental appraisals. [185098]
§ Mr. LeslieIt is not possible to give figures for the number of new policy proposals or significant changes in policy that were produced in the two periods in question without incurring disproportionate cost.
A Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) was required for all policy proposals or significant changes in policy produced in 2002–03 and 2003–04. which were likely to have a direct or indirect impact on business, charities and the voluntary sector. In accordance with Cabinet Office guidance, the RIA covered the full range of potential impacts on stakeholders—including environmental impacts where relevant.