HC Deb 06 November 1996 vol 284 c510W
Mr. Steen

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make it his policy for all draft legislation to carry a compliance cost assessment relating to public and private sectors. [2723]

Mr. Freeman

The Government require a compliance cost assessment for all draft legislation likely to affect business. The purpose of the assessment is to assess the costs likely to fall on business. Other costs, such as any cost to the public sector, must be included in the regulatory appraisal which must also be prepared for all legislative proposals likely to affect business. Guidance booklets on compliance cost assessment and regulatory appraisal are available in the House Libraries as followschecking the Cost of Regulation: A Guide to Compliance Cost Assessment Regulation in the Balance: A Guide to Regulatory Appraisal Incorporating Risk Assessment".