§ Mr. ClaphamTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many regulations relating to safety at work have been(a) repealed and (b) modified as a result of recommendations by the deregulation unit. [19574]
§ Mr. FreemanIn its review of regulation, the Health and Safety Commission identified 100 regulations and seven pieces of primary legislation as outdated or unnecessary which could be removed or reformed without reducing necessary protection. This represents 40 per cent. of health and safety regulations affecting the generality of business. The removal of a number of these regulations has also been recommended by the sectorial task forces under Lord Sainsbury, and the deregulation task force,558W chaired by Mr. Francis Maude, also recommended that the burden of health and safety needed to be significantly reduced.
As a result of these reviews, 12 sets of regulations affecting business generally and 18 other sets now have been removed, as well as some partial repeals such as 53 requirements to display posters and notices.
§ Mr. ClaphamTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many regulations have been(a) repealed and (b) modified as a result of work by the deregulation unit and in which subject areas. [19573]
§ Mr. FreemanWe have so far repealed or amended over 500 regulations out of a target of over 1,000 regulations. Examples include the simplification of food temperature control regulations which will save business about £40 million per annum and simplification of trade marks legislation which is saving business about £30 million a year. Details of other key areas of reform are identified in "Deregulation: The Way Forward" published in May 1995 and in "The Government's Response to the First Annual Report of the Deregulation Task Force" published in September 1995, copies of which are available in the House Libraries.