HC Deb 03 July 1997 vol 297 cc221-2W
Mrs. Betty Williams

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement about better regulation. [7045]

Dr. David Clark

The Government is committed to making government work better. My Department's White Paper on 'New Government', to be published later this year, will set out a unified programme for the renewal of government. Better regulation is an integral part of this renewal. Our aim is to ensure that regulations are simple, helpful and fair for business and the citizen.

It is essential that we involve those who are affected by regulation. We are committed to giving small business and ordinary citizens a greater voice on the Better Regulation Task Force. I have today appointed Christopher Haskins, Chairman of Northern Foods plc, to chair the Task Force. Their terms of reference are to advise the Government on action which improves the effectiveness and credibility of government regulation by ensuring that it is necessary, fair and affordable, and simple to understand and administer, taking account of the needs of small business and ordinary people.

We will find practical measures that will respond to people's needs. For example, I have set up a cross-departmental initiative called 'Access Business' to assist small business. This will draw together regulatory advice and forms into a simpler, more unified service, in particular using modern technology. For the citizen we will look at key groups like the elderly, the young and the voluntary sector and identify how we can make improvements.

I will take the opportunity presented by the EU Presidency next year to promote better quality regulation at the European level. I am planning a centrepiece Better Regulation Presidency event in March looking at improving access to Government for citizens and business, keeping legislation simple and improving consultation. And we are working with the Austrian government to provide a sustained push to improve the quality of EU legislation throughout our consecutive Presidencies.