§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will set out the arrangements for Departments to carry out risk assessments on new regulatory proposals. [28165]
§ Mr. FreemanI am today publishing a new guidance booklet on regulatory appraisal incorporating risk assessment and am arranging for copies to be placed in the House Library. The new guide requires risk assessments to be carried out on all proposed regulations affecting business. As part of the regulatory appraisal procedure set out in the guide, Ministers will have to receive a risk assessment before deciding whether to introduce new regulations. Ministers must personally certify that they have read both the risk assessment and a compliance cost assessment in order to satisfy themselves that the benefits of the regulation justify its costs.