§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what orders his Department has made under the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994 in each year since 1994; and what plans it has to introduce such orders. [106089]
§ Mr. Chris Smith[holding answer 20 January 2000]: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has made two orders under the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994. They are:
302WThe Deregulation (Wireless Telegraphy) Order 1996 (SI 1996/1864)
This abolished the requirement for TV dealers to hold TV licences and to register with the BBC. It was estimated to have saved TV dealers £10,000 a year.
The Contracting Out (Functions in relation to the Management of Crown Lands) Order 1998 (SI 1998/215)
This removes the statutory responsibilities of the Secretary of State for DCMS, for the day to day management of the historic royal palaces which is now carried out under contract by the Historic Royal Palaces Trust.
DCMS will continue to look for opportunities to use such orders to remove unnecessary legislative restrictions.