Regulatory Impact Unit

HC Deb 03 July 2002 vol 388 cc385-6W

Dr. Cable

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many members of his Department have been employed in its Regulatory Impact Unit in the past five years; and if he will make a statement. [65963]

Mr. Alexander

I have been asked to reply.

The Cabinet Office's Regulatory Impact Unit had the following complement of staff over the last five years:

Year1	Number of staff2
1997–98	50
1998–99	53
1999–2000	53
2000–01	58
2001–02	65
1 April to 31 March.
2 Employed at 31 March.

The Regulatory Impact Unit in the Cabinet Office also works closely with departmental Regulatory Impact Units. It is the job of departmental Regulatory Impact Units to establish and promote the principles of good regulation in their Departments. The staff in each unit works closely with the officials responsible for developing policies within their Department. They focus on those regulations that impact on business, charities, and the voluntary sector.