§ Dr. CableTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many(a) consultation documents and (b) consultative drafts of legislation have been issued by his Department 493W since January 2001; what proportion of these have observed Criterion 5 of the Code of Practice on Written Consultation; and if he will make a statement. [132882]
§ Ruth KellyA list of consultation documents issued since January 2001 can be found on the HM Treasury website at http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/consultations and legislation/. In 2001, a third of consultation documents met Criterion 5. In 2002 and to date in 2003, more than three-quarters have done so. Most of the consultations that did not meet Criterion 5 related to market-sensitive financial service areas. In those cases where the consultation period is due to be shorter than normal, the reasons for this are now routinely set out in the text of the document.