§ John BarrettTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister 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. [124578]
§ Yvette CooperThe Government recommend that policy development should be done in close consultation with stakeholders. Formal consultation documents are one part of this process, which can also include:
- 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, details of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's recent consultation exercises are available at www.ODPM.gov.uk.