§ Mr. HoramTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many new policy proposals or significant changes in policy were produced in(a) 2002–03 and (b) 2003–04; how many of these were screened for their environmental impacts; and how many were the subject of separate environmental appraisals. [185103]
§ Mr. TimmsIn most instances, environmental screening and appraisal are undertaken as an integral part of the policy-making process, and separate records are not currently maintained. Nor are separate records maintained of the number of new policy proposals or significant changes in policy requiring Regulatory Impact Assessments made each year.
A Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) would have been required for all departmental policy proposals in 2002–03 and 2003–04 which were likely to have a direct or indirect impact (whether benefits or cost) on business, charities and the voluntary sector. In accordance with Cabinet Office guidance, the RIA should have covered the full range of potential impacts on all stakeholders—including environmental impacts where relevant.