To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to the statement of the Secretary of State for the Environment of 21 November, Official Report, column 454, if he will make it his policy to review past legislation in respect of additional burdens imposed by regulations implementing European directives. [5070]

Within the NI departments, there is no such existing policy at the present time, but legislation influenced by EC directives is progressed on a parity basis with Great Britain. Any initiatives taken by Great Britain Departments to review past legislation implementing European directives which impose additional burdens will be closely monitored by departments.