§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what new steps his Department took in 2001–02 to consult the users of its services about their wishes and expectations; and if he will publish the findings. [47306]
§ Ruth Kelly[holding answer 10 April 2002]: The main service provided directly to the public by the Treasury is the provision of information.
In 2001–02 the Treasury consulted the public on the development of our website—the main vehicle by which we provide information—the results of which were fed into the site relaunch in November 2001. In 2002–03 we intend to consult regular users (financial professionals, journalists and members of the general public) of the main Treasury website, specifically to find out how they would like the site to develop in the future.
The Treasury are currently consulting on the development, in conjunction with Inland Revenue and Customs and Excise, of a new website aimed specifically at young people, but also which should also be of general public interest, explaining the work of the Chancellor's Departments in a more general way than is possible via the main website.
The Treasury also provides information on topical subjects such as third world debt in response to letters from members of the public requesting this information.