Public Sector: Public Consultation

Mr. Maude
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what assessment has been made of the effectiveness of the use of citizens' juries.

Mr. Watson
I refer the right hon. Member to the answer my right hon. Friend the then Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Edward Miliband) gave to the hon. Member for Fareham (Mr. Hoban) on 3 March 2008, Official Report, column 2206W.

In relation to the last citizen's jury held by the Cabinet Office, on the Draft Legislative programme in October 2007, the Government's assessment was that it was helpful both in informing the development of that document and in shaping the consultation process for future draft programmes.