§ Baroness Miller of Hendonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Answer by the Lord Sainsbury of Turville on 11 February (HL Deb, col. 1100), whether the calculation that business regulation has 119WA grown by 53 per cent between 1998 and 2002 is incorrect; and if so, what is the correct figure. [HL1384]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Sainsbury of Turville)The percentage growth figure appears to relate to the total number of statutory instruments in the period. In fact the vast majority of these had minimal or no substantial effect on business. Analysis of statutory instruments in 2003 showed that over 90 per cent had little or no substantial impact on business with about 39 per cent relating to temporary road closures or air navigation orders.
It is difficult to assess the level of business regulation other than through international comparisons. The World Bank's Doing Business in 2004 (published in October 2003) named the UK among 10 countries out of 130 with the least regulation.
§ Baroness Miller of Hendonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they can provide a figure for the growth of business regulation between 1998 and 2002; and, if not, why not. [HL1385]
§ Lord Sainsbury of TurvilleIt is difficult to assess the level of business regulation other than through international comparisons. The World Bank'sDoing Business in 2004 (published in October 2003) named the UK among 10 countries out of 130 with the least regulation.