HC Deb 22 June 2000 vol 352 cc266-7W
Lorna Fitzsimons

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office when she will publish results from the People's Panel Ethnic Minority Booster Research; and if she will make a statement. [127382]

Mr. Ian McCartney

Initial research has now been carried out using the People's Panel Ethnic Minority Booster to find out more about the experiences of people from an ethnic minority background in using a range of public services. An extra 830 people from ethnic minority communities were recruited to the original People's Panel to ensure that views could be analysed in detail. Results have been published today, and I have placed copies in the Libraries of the House.

Mr. Jim Cunningham

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will make a statement on the progress of the People's Panel. [126104]

Mr. Ian McCartney

Four major waves of quantitative research and several qualitative research projects using the People's Panel have been carried out since it was set up in the summer of 1998. Summaries of the research results have been placed in the House Library and published on the internet. A fifth wave of research, which will set a baseline for the new consumer focus for public services announced on 9 February, is under way. This will measure satisfaction with and expectations of key public services. The results are expected to be announced during the summer. An additional 830 people from ethnic minority communities have been recruited to allow us to examine their views in detail. The results from the first research using this group will be announced shortly.

An independent evaluation of the panel was published on 23 May 2000, Official Report, column 451W. Copies of the evaluation were placed in the Library of the House. The evaluation report concluded that the Panel had proved its worth as a vehicle to promote greater understanding, within local and national government, of public views, and of the need to obtain these views, and that the Panel has proved a valuable asset.

The recommendations arising from the evaluation are in the course of being implemented.