Deregulation

24.

Mr. Steen
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]

Mr. Ian McCartney
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; andan amendment to the Patents Act 1977 to allow the filing fees for patent applications to be paid later than the filing dateFurther proposals for use of the power are under consideration.