Written question asked by Oliver Heald (Conservative) on Thursday, 11 March 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 17 March 2004. It was answered by Douglas Alexander (Labour) on Wednesday, 17 March 2004 on behalf of the Cabinet Office.

Cabinet Office

Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to his Answer of 9th March, 418 c1399W, on the Regulatory Impact Unit, on what statistical basis the statement that the UK has almost the lowest administration cost and fewer regulations for entrepreneurs than any other EU country was made; and if he will make a statement. - Inc ref to 'Regulation, Productivity and Growth: OECD Evidence'.

Answer: Mr. Heald: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office pursuant to his answer of 9 March 2004, Official Report, column 1399W, on the Regulatory Impact Unit, on what statistical basis the statement that the UK has almost the lowest administration cost and fewer regulations for entrepreneurs than any other EU country was made; and if he will make a statement. [161962] Mr. Alexander: The statistical basis for this assessment was published in an OECD working paper, published on 13 January 2003, entitled "Regulation, Productivity and Growth: OECD Evidence". Recent assessments by the World Bank and KPMG have drawn similar conclusions.

Secondary information