§ 11. Mr. Rhodri MorganTo ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what consultations he is undertaking on the proposed better government White Paper. [58923]
§ 12. Mr. ChopeTo ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office for what reasons the White Paper on better government has been delayed. [58924]
§ Dr. Jack CunninghamAs I explained to the House on 21 October 1998,Official Report, columns 1267-68, the Government will publish a White Paper in the spring, setting out proposals for modernising government and joining up public services, to secure effective decision-making and services that work and respond to the people who need them. The Prime Minister has asked me to chair a Cabinet Committee to drive this agenda forward and the timetable remains firmly on course. I am keen to take into account a wide range of views and ideas in preparing the White Paper.
§ 13. Ms WardTo ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will make a statement on the progress of the better government for older people pilot projects. [58925]
§ Mr. KilfoyleThe Better Government for Older People programme is a flagship project for joined-up Government. The 28 local pilots are developing an ambitious range of projects to improve the quality of public services for older people. We are also setting up a Learning Network to make sure many more authorities across the UK are able to share learning and experience with the pilots.
As the number of older people in our society continues to rise, we will need increasingly to value and celebrate them for the experience they bring and the positive contribution they can make. This programme is a step in that direction and will make a real difference to the lives of older people as we enter the new Millennium.