§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether there has been a tendency in recent years for consultation periods on important new proposals and on legislation to be shorter and to be concentrated largely in the parliamentary recess and public summer holidays; and if so why.
§ The Lord Privy Seal (Lord Belstead)I am not aware of any such trend: there is certainly no central policy to that effect. Departments decide when, how and whom to consult. If the noble Lord has particular cases in mind, perhaps I may suggest that he takes these up with the departments concerned.