To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans she has to make use of the deregulation procedures established by the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994. [10049]

I intend to use the deregulation order-making power to reduce or simplify the burdens imposed in two cases. These are:

the repeal of the check-off system of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992; and

an amendment to the Patents Act 1977 to allow the filing fees for patent applications to be paid later than the filing date