Clause 22 - Functions to which sections 19 and 20 apply
Legislative and Regulatory Reform Bill
1:00 pm
Christopher Chope (Christchurch, Conservative)
I had thought that it would not be necessary for me to contribute further. This is an important debate about the scope of part 2 of the Bill. It is accepted that the work of Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs has a major impact on small business and businesses generally in this country and falls squarely within the definition of regulatory function in clause 23. However the Minister has told us that, for some reason that I am trying to get to the bottom of, HMRC will not be subject to the important provisions of part 2. I have asked why on several occasions, and I ask again in the hope that it will encourage him to get to his feet rather than play for the 4 o’clock end. I hope that he will also be able to respond to points that were made about other bodies that could be covered by these provisions, but perhaps will not be.