§ Mr. SteenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what new systems he has put in place to ensure that European directives are not gold plated in domestic regulations. [10069]
§ Mr. Gummer[holding answer 22 January 1996]My Department's policy is not to gold plate EC directives by the addition of unnecessary burdens when implementing them in the UK. Officials are required to draw Ministers' attention to any elements of proposed regulations which go further than the EC directive concerned strictly requires, and I am exploring ways of ensuring that implementing regulations clearly explain which elements derive from the directive and, where relevant, why additional elements have been included. The presumption is always against any addition. Official guidance on gold plating is currently being reviewed in consultation with other Government Departments.
§ Mr. SteenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will place in the Library copies of the guidance notes, office notes and other relevant documents which relate to his efforts in(a) removing gold plating from existing domestic regulation and (b) ensuring new European directives are not gold plated. [10051]
§ Mr. Gummer[holding answer 22 January 1996]Official guidance on gold-plating is currently being reviewed in consultation with other Government Departments. In addition, the Health and Safety Executive has already issued an instruction to its staff that other options should always be considered before the possibility of new regulations or approved codes of practice are considered, and that where such regulations or codes are proposed to Ministers they should be accompanied by a memorandum explaining any points where the requirements go beyond any EC directive. A copy of instruction, "General Administrative Procedures (GAP) No. 8—A Short Guide to Regulating in HSE", is being placed in the Libraries of both Houses.