HC Deb 31 January 2000 vol 343 cc432-3W
Dr. Tony Wright

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 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 was 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. [106298]

Mr. Straw

The information requested is not available centrally and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Since May 1997, the Home Office has, however, consulted on a wide range of issues. The Government welcome the views of the public on proposed new policies and initiatives and is committed to consulting through a variety of means, including Consultation Documents, Green Papers and documents published on the internet. Consultation Papers have included papers on: Tackling delays in the youth justice system (1997); Racial violence and harassment (1997); Supporting families (1998); Juries in serious fraud trials (1998); New measures to control prostitutes' cards in phone boxes (1999); and Possible changes to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme (1999).

Between 1995 and May 1997, the Consultation Papers published by the Home Office included papers on: Identity Cards (1995); Proposed changes to betting licensing (1995); Casino deregulation (1996); and, Clarification of the law relating to the bribery of Members of Parliament (1996).