Deregulation (Hansard, 25 May 1994)

§ Mr. Fatchett
To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will set out(a) the terms of reference of the deregulation panel, (b) its membership and (c) the terms of appointment of the members of the panel.

§ Mr. Burden
To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he will make a statement on the functions of the deregulation panel before the Deregulation and Contracting Out Bill receives Royal Assent;
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(2) what are the functions of the deregulation panel established by his Department;
(3) when the deregulation panel was established;
(4) who are the members of the deregulation panel; and on what dates they were invited to join the panel;
(5) when the deregulation panel first met; and how many times it has met.

§ Mr. Neil Hamilton
The formation of the deregulation task force, to be chaired by the right hon. Francis Maude, was announced on 19 January 1994. A number of appointments have been made and some work has been started, but other individuals are still being approved. It would therefore be inappropriate to announce some names but not all. When the task force has its full quorum, an announcement of the membership and its terms of reference will be made.

§ Mr. Burden
To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the budget of the deregulation panel.

§ Mr. Neil Hamilton
[holding answer 24 May 1994]: The deregulation task force does not have a separate individual budget. The costs of administrative support are part of the deregulation unit budget, which is published in the departmental supply estimates.

§ Mr. Burden
To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make the minutes of the deregulation panel available to hon. Members.

§ Mr. Neil Hamilton
[holding answer 24 May 1994]: Minutes of the meetings of the deregulation task force will not be available. However, the task force will publish an annual report.

§ Mr. Burden
To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the relationship between the deregulation panel and the deregulation unit.

§ Mr. Neil Hamilton
[holding answer 24 May 1994]: The deregulation task force will work closely with the deregulation unit, which is the focal point for the deregulation initiative across Whitehall.

§ Mr. Burden
To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the relationship between the deregulation panel and the deregulation task forces.

§ Mr. Neil Hamilton
[holding answer 24 May 1994]: The deregulation task force is the successor body to the seven business deregulation task forces, whose proposals for reform were published on 19 January 1994 and the eighth charities and voluntary organisations task force, which has completed its work and is due to report shortly.

§ Mr. Burden
To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the level of remuneration of each member of the deregulation panel.

§ Mr. Neil Hamilton
[holding answer 24 May 1994]: Individuals will not receive payment for their work as members of the deregulation task force.

§ Mr. Burden
To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the term of office of each member of the deregulation panel.

§ Mr. Neil Hamilton
[holding answer 24 May 1994]: Members of the deregulation task force will be appointed for an initial period of two years.
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§ Mr. Burden
To ask the President of the Board of Trade what were the criteria used to appoint(a) the deregulation panel as a whole and (b) each member of the deregulation panel.

§ Mr. Neil Hamilton
[holding answer 24 May 1994]: The purpose of the deregulation task force is to help my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade to promote deregulation which will enhance the competitiveness of United Kingdom business and the effectiveness of the voluntary sector. The criterion for membership is the ability to contribute to this purpose.

§ Mr. Burden
To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list(a) the occupations and (b) the political affiliation of each member of the deregulation panel.

§ Mr. Neil Hamilton
[holding answer 24 May 1994]: The formation of the deregulation task force, to be chaired by the right hon. Francis Maude, was announced on 19 January 1994. A number of appointments have been made and some work has been started, but other individuals are still being approached. It would therefore be inappropriate to announce some names but not all. When the task force has its full quorum, an announcement to the membership and its terms of reference will be made. This will include the occupations of members appointed. The Department does not hold information on the political affiliations of appointees to advisory bodies. Appointments are made on the basis of the person judged best for the job; political affiliation is not a factor.