§ John BarrettTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the consultation documents issued by his Department in each of the last four years; what the cost was of producing each of these; how many documents were issued in each consultation; and how many responses were received in each consultation. [124569]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonThe Government recommends that policy development should be done in close consultation with stakeholders. Formal consultation documents are one part only of this process, which includes:
- Stakeholder meetings
- Listening events/public meetings
- Web forums
- Public surveys
- Focus groups
- Regional events
- Free-phone and freepost surveys and events
- Targeted leaflet campaigns
- Road shows and exhibitions
It is standard practice for departments to evaluate the policy development process, including the use of consultation. The specific information requested is not collated on a central basis and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
However, a list of consultation exercises run by the Department of Health since May 2001 is available at www.doh.gov.uk/consultations/.