§ Annabelle EwingTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the publications produced by his Department that refer people to the Citizens Advice Bureau Service for advice and assistance; and whether Citizens Advice Scotland is informed of such referrals prior to publication. [84156]
§ Beverley Hughes[holding answer 2 December 2002]: The Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) Service in England and in Wales, and in Scotland is a valuable source of independent advice and information on a wide range of 59W issues that affect and concern the citizen. This includes a number of areas of concern to the Home Office, such as immigration and crime. Given the CAB Service's knowledge and expertise, the Department makes frequent reference to CABx as a source of information and advice in its publications, websites, and press-notices and in its replies to correspondence from a number of interested parties.
The Home Office is committed to working with the Department of Trade and Industry, and other Government Departments with a working relationship with the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureau (NACAB) and Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS), to ensure a productive partnership between Government and the CAB service, and the sharing of information and policy developments relevant to work of the service.