Dr. Tony WrightTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish a list of (1) task forces and (2) policy reviews established by his Department since May 1997 which(a) had external members recruited by way of public advertisement, and details of any person so appointed and (b) engaged in public consultation exercises, and the form that these took. [74461]
§ Mr. StrawNo task forces or policy reviews established since May 1997 have had external members 267W recruited by public advertisement. Most task forces and policy reviews are short-term, established to give thorough consideration to important and difficult issues. External members are invited to take part in some reviews and task forces because they are able to contribute to specific experience and expertise. In such cases, public advertising would be inappropriate and disproportionate.
Review Form of consultation Review to Consider Permanent UK-Wide Counter Terrorism Legislation Consultation document published 17 December 1998. Interdepartmental Review of Police Pensions Consultation document published on 31 March 1998. Working Party on Electoral Procedures Concerned the sale of the electoral register and not about the Working Party's remit as a whole. News release published on 3 August 1998 invited initial responses and is being followed up by meetings and correspondence with interested parties. Review of Family Court Welfare A joint consultation document from the Home Office, Lord Chancellor's Department and Department of Health was published in July 1998. Review of the Interdepartmental Working Group on Preventing Unsuitable People from Working with Children and Abuse of Trust Written public consultation in August/September 1998, supported by seminars. Further written consultation in January/February 1999. Review of Immigration and Asylum Appeals Consultation paper issued on 13 July 1998. Review on Measures on Community Safety Consultation paper published September 1997. Prisons-Probation Review Consultation paper issued 6 August 1998. Review of Anti-Social Behaviour Consultation paper issued September 1997. Sex Offences Review Consultation leaflet issued on 25 January 1999. Interdepartmental Review of Vulnerable or Intimidated Witnesses Views invited by letter and conference. The report of the Review's Working Group was published for consultation on 10 June 1998. Review of Arrangements for Confiscation of Criminal Assets Report issued for consultation in November 1998. Working Group considering a possible new offence of misuse of public office Expected to report later in 1999 via a consultation paper. Task Force on Youth Justice Draft guidance on establishing youth offending teams published for consultation in February 1998.