Panel for Regulatory Accountability (Hansard, 4 May 2004)

§ Brian Cotter
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office under what criteria a draft regulation will be referred to the Panel for Regulatory Accountability. [167508]

§ Mr. Alexander
As set out in the Budget documentation, any regulatory proposal likely to impose a major now burden on business will require clearance from the Panel for Regulatory Accountability, chaired by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, based on a thorough impact assessment of the proposal agreed by the Cabinet Office Regulatory Impact Unit.
The criteria for defining major proposals will be based on that set out in the Regulatory Impact Assessment guidance available at www.cabinet-office.gov.uk/regulation and copies are available in the Library.

§ Brian Cotter
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will make a statement on the(a) role, (b) function and (c) membership of the Panel for Regulatory Accountability. [167509]

§ Mr. Stephen O'Brien
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will set out the reformed functions of the Panel for Regulatory Accountability. [169017]

§ Mr. Alexander
The role of the Panel for Regulatory Accountability is to clear any regulatory proposal likely to impose a major new burden on business. The panel will consider all such proposals in the context of Departments' previous regulatory performance and the overall burden of regulation across key business sectors.
Apart from chairmanship by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, the membership of the panel remains unchanged, and information on the existing Panel can be found on the Cabinet Office website at www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk and in the Library.