EU Regulation (Hansard, 27 May 2004)

HC Deb 27 May 2004 vol 421 cc1745-6W 1745W

§ Malcolm Bruce
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Eddisbury (Mr. O'Brien) on 30 April 2004,Official Report, column 1319W, on gold-plating, if he will list cases of unforeseen or undesired over-implementation identified by the Cabinet Office Regulatory Impact Unit, broken down by (a) the EU Directive, (b) the 1746W Department responsible for implementation and (c) the option taken that went beyond the minimum necessary to comply with the European Directive. [176100]

§ Mr. Alexander
The Cabinet Office guidance referred to in the original question states thatInstances of gold-plating will need to be brought to the attention of the Cabinet Office Regulatory Impact Unit.
In the context of the guidance, it is clear that what is being referred to is consultation during the course of policy development, rather than notification after the event. The Cabinet Office does not hold records of all the policy discussions which have taken place which have dealt with possible gold-plating.

§ Malcolm Bruce
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Eddisbury (Mr. O'Brien) of 30 April 2004,Official Report, column 1319W, on gold-plating, if he will list the instances of the implementation of EU legislation where, due to exceptional reasons, it has been deemed necessary to over-implement Directives, broken down by (a) the EU Directive and (b) the Government Department responsible. [176101]

§ Mr. Alexander
One instance has been identified by the Cabinet Office since November 2001, when the provision of Tranposition Notes to Parliament became mandatory.
The 2001 Money Laundering Directive required the UK to regulate auditors, external accountants and tax advisors…in the exercise of their professional activities.
The UK implementing regulations (Money Laundering Regulations 2003) introduced by Her Majesty's Treasury, after extensive consultation, covered all those carrying out the activities of accountancy (including unaffiliated professionals) in order not to create loopholes for criminal activity.