HC Deb 27 November 2000 vol 357 cc370-1W
Mr. Gareth R. Thomas

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office when she intends to launch the Code of Practice on Written Consultation; and if she will make a statement. [140563]

Marjorie Mowlam

The Government have today published a Code of Practice on Written Consultation, and I have placed a copy in the Library. It will apply to consultation documents issued after 1 January 2001.

The Code meets a recommendation of the Sixth Report of the Committee on Standards in Public Life. It also responds to views expressed by the Public Administration Select Committee of the House, by the Better Regulation Task Force, and by many organisations and members of the public in response to a consultation draft issued earlier this year.

The code will generally be binding on Departments, though it is not a legal document. Any departures from it will have to be justified, on the face of the consultation document, by the Minister authorising it.

The code reflects the importance of: involving the widest range of people and organisations in developing policy, legislation and public services; keeping to a minimum the burden on people consulted—so the code encourages joining up of consultation, and requires that documents have a two-page summary; giving enough time to respond to consultation documents: 12 weeks will be the standard minimum period; making full use of information technology in gathering views, though not so as to exclude people without access: so there will be a central internet-based register of consultations which will appear shortly at: www.UKOnline.gov.uk; and giving feedback: saying what views were expressed, and why they were accepted or rejected.

I am also placing in the Library, and on my Department's website, a summary of responses to the consultation earlier this year on a draft of the Code.

I believe the Code, together with the Guidance being published today by the Small Business Service on implementation periods, a copy of which is also being placed in the Library, is a real advance for responsive, open administration, and for constructive working between business and Government.