HC Deb 20 October 1999 vol 336 cc580-1W
Mrs. Curtis-Thomas

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what arrangements the Better Regulation Task Force has for liaising with other Departments. [94638]

Marjorie Mowlam

The Better Regulation Task Force is an independent advisory body supported by officials in the Cabinet Office Regulatory Impact Unit. The Task Force liaises with other Departments through established inter-departmental channels between Cabinet Office officials and their counterparts in other Departments, and through other arrangements as necessary.

Mrs. Curtis-Thomas

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what reviews are currently being considered by the Better Regulation Task Force for 2000. [94503]

Marjorie Mowlam

In the year 1999–2000 the Better Regulation Task Force is undertaking reviews of payroll (tax and benefit integration), the overall impact of regulation on the hotel and restaurant industry, small firms exemptions, public sector regulation, self-regulation as an alternative to state regulation and regulatory protection of vulnerable groups.

Mrs. Curtis-Thomas

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what regulations broken down by department have been reviewed by the Better Regulation Task Force. [94501]

Marjorie Mowlam

The areas of regulation which have been subject to published reviews by the Better Regulation Task Force are as set out together with details of the main Departments involved. The Task Force has also responded to a number of Government consultation documents. Full details of each review are available on the Better Regulation Task Force website, which can be found at www.cabinet-office.gov/uk/bru/index/task.htm.

Review Main regulations covered Responsible Department
Consumer Affairs A wide range of consumer affairs regulations Department of Trade and Industry, Home Office
Long Term Care Registered Homes Act, 1984, and supporting secondary legislation Department of Health
Early years Education and Day-care The Children Act, 1989, The Nursery Education and Grant-Maintained Schools Act 1996, the Schools Inspection Act 1996 Department for Education and Employment (DFEE) and Department of Health
Access to Government Funding for the Voluntary Sector This review examined in general terms the regulatory framework applying to Government funding of the voluntary sector The review was relevant to all Departments that fund the voluntary sector
Licensing Law The Licensing Act, 1964, The Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982, The London Government Act 1963 and related secondary legislation The Home Office
Enforcement The review took as case studies the following regulatory frameworks: 1. The Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act, 1974 and 2. The Fire Precautions Act 1971 and The Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1997 The Health and Safety Executive, The Home Office
Anti-discrimination Legislation The Disability Discrimination Act 1995, The Sex Discrimination Act 1975, The Equal Pay Act 1970, The Race Relations Act 1976 The Department for Education and Employment, The Home Office
Fit Person Criteria The Police Act, 1997 and the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 The Home Office
Regulations and Small Firms This review considered in general terms the range of regulations that impact on small firms This review was relevant to most Government Departments