HC Deb 16 June 1997 vol 296 cc27-8W
Mr. Colvin

To ask the Prime Minister how many(a) reviews and (b) Royal commissions the Government have established; and how many of each it plans to establish in the next year. [3026]

The Prime Minister

Significant reviews which we have announced include:

  • A comprehensive spending review;
  • A strategic defence review;
  • A review of the bureaucratic burden on teachers;
  • A review of detailed criteria used in considering license applications for the export of conventional weapons;
  • A review of the law relating to surrogacy;
  • A review of the law relating to silicone breast implants;
  • a review of proposed NHS private finance initiative schemes;
  • A review of the breast cancer screening service in Devon and implications for the breast cancer screening programme as a whole;
  • A review of the arrangements for celebrating the Millennium;
  • A review of the National Lottery, leading to the publication of a White Paper;
  • A review of film policy;
  • A review of steps which might be taken to strengthen local democratic control of the three public water authorities in Scotland;
  • Scottish Enterprise has been asked to bring forward its planned review of strategy to encourage a more effective, responsive and accountable enterprise network in Scotland;
  • A review of the way in which social rented housing is supported in Scotland;
  • A review of the Skye Bridge tolling arrangements;
  • A fundamental review of transport policy leading to the publication of a White Paper on our long term strategy for an integrated transport policy;
  • A review of the arrangements for enforcing the rules on the welfare of animals exported live to the continent;
  • A review of the case for inoculation as a substitute for the quarantine of animals;
  • A review of the international development policies leading to a publication of a White Paper in the Autumn;
  • A review of economic regeneration in Wales;

We made clear in the Labour manifesto our plans to review ministerial accountability, to implement the Nolan recommendations fully and extend them to all public bodies. These will be among the various matters to be reviewed in preparation of the White Paper on Better Government which we intend to publish in the Autumn.

No Royal Commissions have been established.

The announcements of any further reviews will be made when those reviews are initiated.