§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement in response to the representations by the Deregulation Committee about the transfer of costs from the private sector to local authorities and the completeness of his Department's consultation in relation to the Deregulation (Building) (Initial Notices and Final Certificates) Order 1996. [34370]
§ Mr. ClappisonIn the 14th report of the Deregulation Committee, it was noted that the transfer of costs to local authorities that would be incurred by the Deregulation (Building) (Initial Notices and Final Certificates) Order 1996, if enacted, may not be as significant as first appeared. On this basis, the Committee indicated its willingness to accept the transfer in this case. It did, however, raise the issue of whether in principle it is acceptable to transfer costs from the private sector to local authorities as a result of deregulation orders, which is an issue that should not be addressed by my Department in isolation.
The comments of the Committee on the completeness of the consultation have been noted, and will be addressed should the occasion arise again. However, the Committee 218W reported that the flaws in the consultation would have no harmful effect because the proposed changes would not undermine necessary protection.