Clause 4 - Annual and other reports
Enterprise Bill
5:15 pm
Mr Nigel Waterson (Eastbourne, Conservative)
I take the Under-Secretary's point. I do not suggest that the OFT makes the regulations. However, the amendment could not be clearer: it is
''an assessment of the additional cost to business of the exercise of its functions.''
There is a cost to be assessed if the OFT decides to exercise its function by having yet another investigation into, say, the record industry, and has a result or no result–end of story. This is not rocket science–I did not think that it was when I tabled the amendment–but information that should legitimately be in the public domain. The CBI is concerned about that. It is not something that I dreamed up on the beach in Eastbourne; it is a concern of business people. I am amazed that the Government are not prepared to accept the amendment, let alone the two less controversial amendments. I urge hon. Members to support the amendments.
Question put, That the amendment be made:–
The Committee divided: Ayes 5, Noes 11.