Compliance Cost Assessments (Hansard, 29 July 1998)

§ Mr. Lansley
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what cumulative net increase in compliance costs has been estimated in compliance cost assessments published by his Department since 1 May 1997. [52943]

§ Mr. Mandelson
[holding answer 28 July 1998]: The net cumulative increase in compliance costs, as estimated in final compliance cost assessments published by my Department between 1 May 1997 and 31 May 1998, is as follows:
July 1997 The Telecommunications (Voice Telephony) Regulations 1997 The Wireless Telegraphy (Control of Interference from Videosenders) Orders 1997
September 1997 The Fireworks (Safety) Regulations 1997
November 1997 The Copyright and Rights in Database Regulations 1997
December 1997 The Telecommunications (Interconnection) Regulations 1997 The Insurance Companies (Accounts and Statements) (Amendment) Regulations 1997
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April 1998 The Consumer Credit (Increase of Monetary Limits) (Amendment) Order 1998; The Consumer Credit (Further Increase of Monetary Amounts) Order 1998; and The Consumer Credit (Realisation of Pawn) (Amendment) Regulations 1998 The Offshore Petroleum Production and Pipelines (Assessment of Environmental Effects) Regulations 1998
May 1998 The Packaging (Essential Requirements) Regulations 1998 The Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours (Amendment) Regulations 1998 The Restriction on Agreements and Conduct (Specified Domestic Electrical Goods) Order 1998.

§ Mr. Lansley
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list those compliance cost assessments since 1 May 1997 in which there is a net reduction in compliance costs resulting from a legislative proposal. [52944]

§ Mr. Mandelson
[holding answer 28 July 1998]: There is presently no requirement for Departments to carry out compliance cost assessments where regulatory proposals are expected to be cost neutral or result in a saving to business. However, between 1 May 1997 and 31 May 1998 my Department laid eight amending regulations which resulted in compliance cost savings to business. These are as follows: The Wireless Telegraphy (Network User Stations) (Exemption) Regulations 1997 The Gas Act 1986 (Exemption) Order 1997 The Insurance Companies (Accounts and Statements) (Amendment) Regulations 1997 The Restrictive Trade Practices (Non-Notifiable Agreements) (Sale and Purchase, Share Subscription and Franchise Agreements) Order 1997 The Restrictive Trade Practices (Non-Notifiable Agreements) (Turnover Threshold) Amendment Order 1997 The Cosmetic Products (Safety) (Amendment) Regulations 1997 The Wireless Telegraphy (Licence Charges) (Amendment) Regulations 1998 The Trade Marks (Amendment) Rules 1998.