§ Mr. Nigel EvansTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when the Government will undertake the independent study proposed by the deregulation task force into how the total burden of Government surveys might be reduced by up to 25 per cent. [14976]
§ Mr. FreemanI have appointed Edward Osmotherly, chairman of the Commission for Local Administration in England, to chair a steering board to look at ways of cutting the burden of surveys on businesses. The terms of reference for the study are
To consider how Government survey compliance costs to business, particularly SMEs, might be reduced; to assess cumulative options for achieving reductions, in light of the Deregulation Task Force recommendation to examine a 25 per cent. saving; to consider any impact on the quality of essential Government statistics and associated policies; and to prepare advice by June 1996.