HC Deb 27 July 1993 vol 229 cc951-2W
Mr. Llew Smith

To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Harrogate (Mr. Banks) of 7 July,Official Report, column 151, if he will make a statement on the matters reported upon to date by the deregulation task forces; and what decisions Her Majesty's Government have taken to implement deregulation proposals.

Mr. Neil Hamilton

I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's reply to the hon. Member for Islington, South and Finsbury (Mr. Smith) on 26 July, at columns561–63.

Mr. Nicholas Winterton

To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he expects to be able to announce those regulatory and administrative burdens upon business which will be abolished by his forthcoming Bill on deregulation; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Neil Hamilton

We propose to introduce a Bill including measures arising from the work of the business task forces and departmental reviews of regulations as soon as parliamentary time permits.

Mr. Nicholas Winterton

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement indicating the principles upon which his forthcoming deregulation Bill will be based; and if he intends to ensure that this proposed legislation fully addresses the need fundamentally to enhance and encourage the international competitiveness of British industry.

Mr. Neil Hamilton

A key objective of the Government's deregulation initiative is to simplify existing regulations in order to remove unnecessary burdens on business and any proposed legislation would reflect this objective. The need to enhance and encourage the international competitiveness of British industry is a main aim of the Department and will certainly be taken fully into account.

Mrs. Helen Jackson

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many times the deregulation unit has met since its inception; and if he will publish the notes of the meetings and of the Prime Minister's seminars of 2 February and 20 July.

Mr. Neil Hamilton

[holding answer 23 July 1993]: The deregulation unit is a division of my Department and does not maintain a record of the number of meetings it has held. The seven deregulation task forces have held 105 meetings among themselves and over 40 meetings with Government Departments, but have not produced formal notes of meetings. For the outcome of the Prime Minister's meetings on 2 February and 20 July, I refer the hon. Member to the Prime Minister's reply of Thursday 4 February 1993, Official Report, column 470 and to the hon. Member for Islington, South and Finsbury (Mr. Smith) on Monday 26 July, at columns 561–63.