I have now received answers to the questions I tabled about government consultation exercises.  I thought I would reproduce the two fullest and most constructive responses: on making available a co-ordinated list of consultation exercises and on making consultation documents available in machine-readable form.

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Cabinet Office: Website

Lord Norton of Louth asked Her Majesty’s Government:

Why the Cabinet Office removed its web page listing all open consultations being conducted by departments; and what plans they have to reintroduce such a web page. [HL6305]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communications, Technology and Broadcasting (Lord Carter of Barnes): The Cabinet Office discontinued this service as the system was not picking up all consultations, the cost of the service had increased and the site was receiving a low number of hits. However, the recent review of government consultation practices and policy, which led to a new code of practice on consultation coming into force on 1 November 2008, found that a comprehensive service of live consultations would be welcomed by stakeholders. The Better Regulation Executive in BERR is working with the Directgov team of the Central Office of Information to deliver such a service in the future. This would automatically pick up all consultation exercises published by central government. In the mean time, those looking for an overview are advised to visit the service run by the Department for Communities and Local Government at www.info4local.gov.uk.

Government: Consultation

Lord Norton of Louth asked Her Majesty’s Government:

What steps they are taking to ensure that departments follow the practice of the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills in making consultation papers available to third parties in machine-readable form. [HL6306]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communications, Technology and Broadcasting (Lord Carter of Barnes): The new code of practice on consultation came into force on 1 November 2008, and guidance is being developed to support implementation. The Better Regulation Executive (BRE) in BERR, as owner of consultation policy, keeps the guidance up-to-date in co-operation with the network of departmental consultation co-ordinators. As part of this programme, the BRE will work with DIUS and other interested parties in government on the development of guidance for officials on machine-readable formats.

For the latest version of this guidance see www. berr.gov.uk/whatwedo/bre/consultation-guidance/page44420.html.

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The remaining answers can be found at:

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200708/ldhansrd/text/81124w0003.htm#08112423000020

I find these responses encouraging.  It is important that the Better Regulation Executive has sufficient clout with Departments in order to ensure effective compliance with guidance that is issued.   I will be pleased to hear from users as to what progress is being made.