HC Deb 13 June 1996 vol 279 cc269-70W
20. Mr. Steen

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress he is making with regard to reducing costs to small businesses as a result of UK deregulation initiatives. [30943]

Mr. Ancram

Good progress has been made:

  • 104 NI regulations affecting business have been repealed or amended;
  • food legislation and planning and building requirements have been simplified;
  • tax, national insurance and value added tax systems have been streamlined;
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  • a major initiative to simplify health and safety guidance and reduce paperwork is in hand.

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