Commission Work Programme 2013

John Bercow Excerpts

Monday 7th January 2013 Commons Chamber

[Relevant document: The Twenty-first Report from the European Scrutiny Committee, HC 86-xxi.]

[Mr Speaker]

We come now to the motion on the Commission work programme for 2013—

[Mr Robert Syms (Poole) (Con)]

Aye.

[Mr Speaker]

We are obliged to the Whip for his enthusiasm, but it would be useful to hear the reasons for considering the question. I call the Minister to move the motion.

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[Mr Lidington]

It is always nice to be flattered, but to attempt an answer really would be well above my pay grade—

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I am sure that the Minister of State hopes that the point has been heard by the Whip on duty.

[Mr Lidington]

Mr Speaker, the Whips on duty hear everything.

Overall, the Government have achieved some success in trying to shift the Commission away from a culture of regulation. Our reform agenda has widespread support and 12 other member states joined us in November in backing a 10-point plan for EU smart regulation. On 12 December the Commission published a new better regulation strategy, which includes a proposal that the Commission should use EU common commencement dates, which ought to help businesses plan for changes in regulation. It has also promised to introduce summary sheets for impact assessments to make it easier for businesses to assess the cost of new legislation.

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[Several hon. Members]

rose—

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I remind the House that we have less than 45 minutes to go, and that at least seven colleagues are seeking to catch my eye, so there is a focus on brevity.