HC Deb 13 May 1996 vol 277 cc371-2W
5. Mr. Steen

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many statutory instruments were introduced in the 1994–95 Session; and what is their estimated total annual cost to business and to public funds. [27668]

Mr. Freeman

Numbers of statutory instruments are recorded by calendar year. The number of new statutory instruments in 1995 was 3,345, of which fewer than 12 per cent. placed compliance costs on business. The costs of individual instruments are specified in compliance cost assessments, but these include transfers between sectors and other factors which prevent the type of aggregation requested by my hon. Friend.