Written question asked by Neil Gerrard (Labour) on Wednesday, 10 March 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 21 April 2004. It was answered by Paul Goggins (Labour) on Wednesday, 21 April 2004 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether a 12 week consultation period took place before the publication of the document Reducing Crime - Changing Lives, in line with the Cabinet Office code of practice on written consultations.

Answer: Mr. Gerrard: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether a 12 week consultation period took place before the publication of the document Reducing Crime--Changing Lives, in line with the Cabinet Office code of practice on written consultations. [160897] Paul Goggins: The Government published its proposals for the reform of correctional services in its paper Reducing Crime--Changes Lives. In that paper the Home Secretary set out the initial views of the Government to Patrick Carter's Report and sought the views of stakeholders on a number of issues. The reform of correctional services and the creation of the National Offender Management Service is a significant undertaking. There is no suggestion that the entire reform will be carried out after a single consultation exercise of 12 weeks or otherwise. The questions for stakeholders posed in Reducing Crimes-- Changing Lives represents a beginning of the consultation process. I have already undertaken to ensure that consultation is ongoing with staff and stakeholders over the period of up to five years we expect full roll out of the new service will take.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 160897; 420 c521W
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: National Offender Management Service Reducing Crime Changing Lives
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk