HC Deb 04 December 1996 vol 286 c693W
9. Mr. Steen

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will estimate the additional cost to businesses in the United Kingdom from(a) directives and (b) rules and regulations made by (i) the Commission and (ii) the Council of Ministers in each of the last five years. [5788]

Mr. Ian Taylor

I can give reliable figures for my Department only from 1994. Non-recurring costs for 1994, 1995 and 1996 respectively are: £36 million, £2 million and £48 million; recurring costs are £49 million, £2 million and £3 million.

These figures need to be set against the considerable benefits to UK business of opening up the single market.