Regulatory Impact Assessments

HC Deb 26 January 2004 vol 417 c73W

Norman Lamb

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what proportion of regulatory impact assessments fully complied with Government guidelines in terms of new content in 2003. [149420]

Mr. Alexander

The Cabinet Office Regulatory Impact Unit is working with Departments to ensure that Regulatory Impact Assessments (RIAs) are consistent with the most recent guidance and are proportionate to the likely impact of the proposal. Information on overall compliance with the guidelines is not collected, but from April this year, Departments will have to provide information on better regulation, including their compliance with the RIA process and their use of RIAs, as part of their annual reporting requirements.