§ Jackie BallardTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the women's organisations which have been consulted over proposed legislation by his Department during this session; and if their responses have been published. [86990]
§ Ms HewittThe Government are committed to making sure that policies are inclusive and take full account of the needs and experience of all those affected by them. Guidelines on Policy Appraisal for Equal Treatment published in November 1998 commit policy makers to assessing how proposals affect different groups of people.
The Treasury encourages a wide-ranging consultation, in particular through the Pre-Budget consultation process. The Pre-Budget Report sets out the direction of economic policy and outlines measures under consideration in the run-up to the Budget. A range of organisations have submitted responses to the Pre-Budget and other consultations. Some individual groups have published responses to the Pre-Budget Report and Budget 99, including the Women's Budget Group. Treasury Ministers and officials also consult regularly with the Women's Budget Group on a range of issues, through a series of meetings and seminars.