§ Valerie DaveyTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister when the Government's regulatory reform action plan will be published. [33655]
§ Mr. LeslieThe Government have today published their regulatory reform action plan. This fulfils a commitment given in July 2001 to produce a list of reforms, including those that could be delivered through the new streamlined process under the Regulatory Reform Act 2001.
This action plan contains 63 new proposals for regulatory reform orders. It is also wide-ranging, covering reform at all levels, across all sectors and by all routes and bringing together over 260 proposals for change that will benefit businesses, charities, the voluntary and wider public sectors, and the individual citizen.
706WThe Government are committed to better regulation. This involves legislating only where necessary and in the most efficient way, and deregulating and simplifying existing legislation wherever possible. The action plan brings together our proposals for deregulation and better regulation.
The plan represents a beginning, and the Government will report on progress. In the plan, we also ask people to come forward with detailed suggestions for what more could be done to reduce bureaucratic burdens and to simplify legislation.
Copies of the plan are available from the Libraries of the House.