§ Mr. DismoreTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the regulatory impact assessment concerning the proposed new offence of corporate manslaughter has been completed; and if he will make a statement. [125049]
§ Paul Goggins[holding answer 11 July 2003]: The results of the Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) are still being assessed but the preliminary vindications are that the costs of a change in the lawbwill not be large. As made clear in the RIA, no new burdens will be placed on companies in terms of the standards with which they will be legally required ton comply. That RIA results may need to be refined to reflect any changes to the original proposals.
§ Mr. DismoreTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which industries in the private sector were selected for the regulatory impact assessment for594W the new offence of corporate manslaughter; on what basis such industries were selected; and if he will make a statement. [125050]
§ Paul Goggins[holding answer 11 July 2003]: The Regulatory Impact Assessment was based upon a survey (conducted in September 2002) of different sectors of private industry. These included the construction sector, the mining and quarrying sector, the transport sector, and others. We did not contact companies directly, but through their representative organisations.
§ Mr. DismoreTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his policy is in relation to(a) Crown immunity and (b) who should conduct prosecution inquiries in relation to the proposed offence of corporate manslaughter; and if he will make a statement. [125051]
§ Paul Goggins[holding answer 11 July 2003]: My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary announced on the 20 May that firm proposals for legislation on corporate killing will be published before the end of this year. The position of Crown bodies and the issue of who should investigate and prosecute, will be issues for consideration. No decisions have yet been made.