§ Mr. GibbTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will outline her plans for reducing the administrative burden on business; and what quantifiable targets she has for measuring progress. [740]
§ Nigel GriffithsThe DTI will continue to ensure that administrative burdens associated with necessary regulation to protect the interests of consumers and citizens and to provide decent minimum standards for workers are minimised. The regulatory impact appraisal (RIA) process was changed in 2000 to require that administrative and policy costs should be separately identified, enabling us to concentrate on minimising the cost of the administration associated with regulation. Where it is shown to us that administration is excessive, we will reduce it, as we did with the Working Time Regulations in 1999.
The new Regulatory Reform Act will play a vital role in the Government's drive to reform outdated, overlapping and over-burdensome regulation. The Labour Party's Business Manifesto commits the Government to use the new Order-making power in the Act to bring forward a programme of regulatory reform initiatives involving all the key Government Departments. A list of 51 examples of reforms that could be achieved by this means is available from the Libraries of the House, and on the Cabinet Office website.
§ Mr. GibbTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress the Small Business Service has made in establishing an Index of Regulation; and if its operational target date has been met. [743]
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§ Nigel GriffithsIn line with the principles set out in "Think Small First" published in January the SBS remains committed to obtaining a detailed picture of the impact of regulation and is considering the best way to proceed on this important issue.
§ Mr. GibbTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to introduce longer lead-in times and consultation periods for new regulations. [747]
§ Nigel GriffithsThe new Consultation Code requires that public consultations should last at least 12 weeks except in clearly defined circumstances, or where Ministers judge that the particular circumstances require a shorter consultation period. The new procedures for guidance for business on new regulations mean that where new regulations require action from business, guidance should be issued at least 12 weeks before the entry into force of the regulation.
§ Mr. GibbTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which regulations implemented since 1997 her Department is planning to review the working and impact of. [754]
§ Nigel GriffithsWe keep the regulatory framework under constant review, assessing the impact of regulations made before 1997 and since. We are also carrying out the following specific reviews.
The Government have appointed the independent Low Pay Commission to monitor and review the impact of the National Minimum Wage Act 1998 and accompanying regulations. The LPC is to be established as a permanent body, continuing to advise on the national minimum wage and carrying out associated research.
We are currently reviewing whether the Timeshare Regulations 1997 and Price Marking Order 1999 should be amended in the light of their operation.
We will also comprehensively modernise company law, following the final report of the independent Company Law Review, to be published this summer.
The forthcoming White Paper on the reform of the competition regime will address aspects of that regime dating from before May 1997, as well as those introduced since.