A HOTLINE set up by ministers to help slash red tape is to be scrapped after taking only four calls last year.

The service to take suggestions from businesses was set up by the Improving Regulation in Scotland unit (Iris), but Enterprise Minister Nicol Stephen said the executive is now looking at other ways of addressing their concerns.

The news came in reply to a parliamentary question put by Tory finance spokesman Derek Brownlee. "This shows what little importance the executive attaches to reducing burdens and regulations, " the South of Scotland MSP said.

"It indicates that Scotland just doesn't believe this Labour/Lib Dem government cares about cutting red tape."

Mr Stephen admitted that none of the four calls received in 2005 was "substantive".

He added: "Since 2004, we have established a different approach towards addressing businesses' concerns.

"The hotline, introduced in 2001, has outlived its usefulness and can now be retired."

Mr Brownlee said that there was a huge amount still to be done to reduce the burden of regulations on public services and on business.

"Accepting the low standards the current Executive aims for is not an option, " he said.

"It is time for a better approach that seriously questions the costs and benefits of every regulation introduced, allowing the public to raise any concerns with the genuine expectation they will be seriously reviewed."