asked the Minister for Health if he is conducting an audit of paperwork requirements imposed by his Department, or by agencies under his aegis, on business; if so, when the audit commenced; the named officer, if any, in charge of the audit; if any report thereon has yet been presented to the Minister for Industry and Commerce; if so, the contents thereof; if any practices or regulations have yet been altered as a result of the audit; if so, the details thereof; if he has prepared any report on the compliance costs to industry of legislation being prepared by his Department; the way in which these reports compare in content, scope or purpose with reports on this subject already required by decisions of the previous Government; and if he will outline the subjects being covered by the audit being conducted in his Department.
Written Answers. - Paperwork Requirements Imposed on Business.
33.
A recent Government decision requires that a review be undertaken of the statutory and information requirements of my Department and of the bodies under its aegis, which impact on business and industry. This review is being carried out at present and it is being co-ordinated by an assistant principal officer in the Department. When the review has been completed, a report will be sent to the Minister for Industry and Commerce.
The question of the costs to industry which are likely to arise from compliance with any new or amended health regulations affecting industry will be considered when any such regulations are being formulated in my Department.