§ Mr. Stephen O'BrienTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether the impact assessments described in the joint initiative on regulatory reform statement of 26 January will be applied to existing EU legislation; and whether such legislation will be repealed if the costs are found not to justify the benefits; [176346]
(2) whether the impact assessments described in the joint initiative on regulatory reform statement of 26 January will include a requirement to estimate the (a) costs and (b) benefits of proposed new EU legislation; [176347]
(3) whether the simplification of the Community Acquis referred to in the joint initiative on regulatory reform statement of 26 January will involve (a) deregulation and (b) the removal of legal texts that are obsolete and outdated without changing their legal status; [176348]
(4) what the implementation timetable is for the (a) introduction of impacts assessments and (b> simplification of the Community Acquis referred to in the joint initiative on regulatory reform statement of 26 January. [176349]
§ Ruth KellyThe Joint Initiative on Regulatory Reform was welcomed by the Spring European Council in March. Following on from this, the Competitiveness Council endorsed an initial work programme at its 17–18 May meeting, including improvements to impact assessment and review of existing legislation. The European Council has committed to return to the issue at its November meeting.
The EU's impact assessment process was introduced as part of its Better Regulation Action Plan and covers both costs and benefits of potential action. The joint initiative contains a number of measures designed to strengthen this analysis, relating to both costs and benefits. In particular, the joint initiative called for better assessment of the impact of proposals on EU competitiveness.
With regard to simplification of existing legislation, the joint initiative builds on the Commission's work under its Better Regulation Action Plan. The scope of this programme includes reform or removal of existing legislation which is in force, as well as of that which is obsolete or no longer in use.
The Government will continue to work with EU partners ahead of the November Council to take forward work in this area.