BOLTON and Bury Chamber and Bury MP Ivan Lewis are tackling red tape on behalf of a local non-profit organisation.

Bolton & District Hospital Saturday, which runs a low-cost contributory health benefit scheme, is now controlled by the Financial Services Authority and classed as an insurance company subject to the same rules and regulations as the industry's giants.

Mr Peter Green, the Hospital Saturday Chief Executive, said: "What is appropriate for a major commercial insurer may not be appropriate for a small mutual organisation like ourselves.

"Our low cost scheme should not be compared to private medical insurance and yet we must generally comply with the same regulatory requirements."

He went on: "The quantity of new rules and regulations and consultations is incredible.

"We are currently wading through consultative document number 41 from the FSA and have had to buy a new bookcase to accommodate all the information."

Mr Green added: "We have had to write internal manuals and implement anti-money laundering procedures for a £1-a-week contributory scheme.

"A move by the FSA to insist on approving our unpaid directors prior to their appointment has cost us £1,500 in legal costs alone."

His concerns were initially voiced on the British Chambers Cut Red Tape web site.

Mr Lewis is pursuing the matter with his parliamentary colleagues.

Pictured, left to right, are Peter Green, Ivan Lewis and Chamber Policy Adviser Briony Simister.