§ Mr. David PorterTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what progress has been made in removing excessive bureaucracy in Government dealings with businesses, organisations and individuals; and what further steps he proposes to take.
§ Mr. Neil HamiltonSince the general election, a wide range of deregulatory measures has been taken across712W Whitehall to reduce administrative and regulatory burdens on business. There has also been action to improve the application of regulation by local authorities and the quality of assessments of the potential costs of compliance which are taken into account in deciding whether and how to regulate. Currently, all Government Departments are examining the body of regulation for which they are responsible, whether this originates at the EC or national level or is applied by local authorities. The work is being driven forward by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade who has appointed my noble Friend Lord Sainsbury to assist him and to help strengthen the business contribution to the deregulation initiative. The aim is to identify further scope for reducing the burden on business significantly through simplification and abolition of regulatory requirements and administrative procedures. Taking into account the concerns and views of businesspeople affected by such regulations, each department is drawing up a plan of action for 1993 and beyond. These plans and progress under the initiative generally will be discussed at a forthcoming seminar to be chaired by the Prime Minister. In addition, my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade will shortly announce the terms of reference of a scrutiny into the formulation of EC law and its implementation and enforcement in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. David PorterTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate he has made of the cost to businesses of implementing(a) EC directives and (b) Government legislation in each year since 1987–88; and what steps he is taking to reduce such costs.
§ Mr. Neil HamiltonOverall estimates of compliance costs have not been made. Compliance costs of individual measures are made but it is not possible sensibly to aggregate these estimates. A scrutiny will begin shortly into the formulation, implementation and enforcement of EC directives in the United Kingdom with a view to minimising the burden on businesses. All Departments are examining existing legislation with a view to reducing the burdens on businesses through simplification and repeal. In addition, revised guidance has been issued to officials on compliance cost assessments and copies are available in the Library of the House.