§ Mr. David PorterTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will investigate a survey into costs imposed on small and rural businesses by legislation, local government requirements and Common Market directives; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Neil HamiltonUnder the deregulation initiative, assessments of compliance and enforcement costs are among the factors taken into account by Ministers when considering proposals for new regulation and in negotiations on EC measures. There is also a continuing programme of work across Whitehall aimed at reducing significantly existing administrative and regulative burdens on business, particularly small businesses, whether imposed by central or local government or the EC. Currently, all regulatory departments are considering their programmes of work under the initiative for 1993 and beyond.