§ Mr. Austin MitchellTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what arrangements there are for consulting consumers on the work and decisions of his Department.
§ Mr. RifkindIn the Scottish Office there are extensive formal and informal arrangements to ensure that the views of interested parties including consumers are known and taken fully into account both in relation to existing work and the development and implementation of new initiatives. In particular, views on new initiatives are 727W canvassed widely through consultation documents. In response to a recommendation by the Scottish Consumer Council, comments received are placed on a public file (unless respondents request confidentiality) for the benefit of interested parties.