Dr. Tony WrightTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the public consultation exercises on policy matters carried out by his Department and its agencies in each of the last five years; who was502W consulted and by what means; how responses were analysed; how and in what form the results were transmitted to those responsible for the consultation; how the results of the consultation were published; and what analysis has been carried out of the extent and nature of policy changes resulting from the consultation. [106296]
§ Mr. RookerThe Department and its agencies are continually and routinely engaged in consulting the public and external stakeholders on a wide range of policy and other matters, both nationally and locally, and through formal written exercises, as well as more informally.
A list of the main national public consultation exercises on policy matters carried out by the DSS since May 1997 has been placed in the Library. Details of consultation exercises prior to May 1997 could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
We are very grateful to the many individuals and organisations which have taken the time to let us have their views during public consultation exercises.
All responses to public consultation exercises are categorised and carefully examined by the relevant policy areas.
The consultation exercises listed cover specific, detailed policy proposals as well as broader aspects of social security policy and the responses served to inform the development of detailed policy.