To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the Health and Safety Executive minimises administrative burdens to business in carrying out its functions. (176988)

The Health and Safety Executive has, alongside other Departments and regulators, outlined its commitment to reducing administrative burdens by 25 per cent. through the publication of its second simplification plan in November 2007, accessed at:

http://www.hse.gov.uk/simplification/index.htm.

To date, HSE's plan identifies projects that are designed to do so by 22 per cent. by 2010.