§ The Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs and Lord Chancellor (Lord Falconer of Thoroton)I have today, with the agreement of the Public Administration Select Committee, published a consultation paper which sets out the Government's response to theIssues and Questions paper published by the Public Administration Select Committee on 20 February 2004 as part of its inquiry into Government by Inquiry.
The consultation period will run until 29 July 2004.
The Government believe that there is a strong case for considering what steps could be taken to improve the arrangements for inquiries called by Ministers, to ensure that the benefits of their recommendations can be obtained more quickly, and economically. On 25 May I will be providing oral evidence to the committee. As well as consideration by the committee, the Government feel that matters discussed in the memorandum merit wider comment.
69WSI have placed copies of the consultation paper in the Libraries of the House and it has been published on the Department for Constitutional Affairs website at: www.dca.gsi.gov.uk/consult/confr.htm.