§ Mr. GryllsTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will give details of the progress made by his Department in implementing the policy of deregulation in the last 12 months.
§ Mr. MaudeDeregulation is one of the DTI's prime objectives and central to the enterprise initiative we launched earlier this month. In the last 12 months, substantial progress has been made in the areas listed in the report "Encouraging Enterprise" published last May, particularly in relation to reducing burdens imposed by company law, the Consumer Credit Act 1974 and the Weights and Measures Act 1985. Legislation to amend those Acts and implement the proposed changes in company law will be introduced at the first opportunity.
My hon. Friend can be assured that we will continue to devote every effort to simplifying those regulations which are necessary and removing those which are not.