§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer of 25 January 2000,Official Report, column 196W, on deregulation, what assessment he has made of the economic impact on business associated with the deregulation and contracting out orders listed. [108809]
§ Mr. Byers[holding answer 7 February 2000]: It is not possible to give an assessment of the cumulative impact of all the deregulation orders as prior to August 1998 there was no requirement to carry out a full regulatory impact assessment on regulations expected to reduce costs to business.
207WAs far as the orders made since that date are concerned, the Deregulation (Weights and Measures) Order 1999 is expected to save businesses involved in the manufacture, installation and repair of weighing and measuring equipment up to £5 million a year. The Deregulation (Pipelines) Order 1999 is expected to save oil and gas companies involved in laying pipelines up to £10,000 for each application for planning permission in respect of short pipes.