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Written question asked by Norman Baker (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 15 October 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 17 October 2007. It was answered by Gareth Thomas (Labour) on Monday, 29 October 2007 on behalf of the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform.

Departments: Closures

Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what policy changes his Department has implemented since 27 June 2007.
Answer

The Department has implemented a number of new and changed policies since 27 June 2007. My Department has kept Parliament fully informed of these changes. For example we have announced:"A draft code of practice for regulators. The Regulators' Compliance Code is a statutory code of practice aimed at improving the way regulators enforce regulations (laid before Parliament on 16 October 2007).""A new study into the feasibility of a Severn Barrage to exploit the tidal energy resource in the Severn Estuary. This decision reflects the conclusions of a report, commissioned by Government in July 2006, by the Sustainable Development Commission (SDC) into the potential for tidal power in the UK. The feasibility study will consider the environmental, social and economic aspects of a Severn barrage, 17 October 2007, Official Report, columns 1151-52W.""Our response to the consultation on the draft Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Bill. This will lead to a Bill that will be introduced when parliamentary time allows which will extend sanctioning powers for regulators dealing with non-compliance with regulation.""As part of the pre-Budget report (9 October) the high-level portfolio of products from which business support will be provided in the future.""The publication of the document ““Next Steps on Regulatory Reform”” which sets out a range of initiatives that will help realise the benefits of better regulation for businesses, third sector organisations and the public sector front line, 25 July 2007, Official Report, column 64WS.""As part of publication of the Next Steps on Regulatory Reform launched a thorough-going Consumer Law Simplification Review in July 2007, to assess the scope for further reductions in the burdens on business, without diminishing consumer protection."

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
159298; 465 c690-2W
Session
2006-07
Subjects
Policy Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk