HL Deb 29 October 1999 vol 606 cc54-5WA
Viscount Chandos

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What plans have been made to reform Section 5 of the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994, dealing with enforcement of regulations. [HL4494]

The Minister of State, Cabinet Office (Lord Falconer of Thoroton)

On 28 September, the Minister for the Cabinet Office published a consultative document on the proposed amendments to Section 5 of the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994, dealing with enforcement of regulations. I have placed a copy of the document in the House Libraries. The proposal is intended to act as an incentive to spread best practice in enforcement policies and procedures and to reduce the regulatory burden on business. Subject to the responses to the consultation exercise, I will be seeking to amend the Act as soon as parliamentary time allows.