Clause 4
Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Bill
12:45 pm
Robert Syms (Shadow Minister (Local Government), Communities and Local Government; Poole, Conservative)
Will the Minister say a little more about consultation, because we live in an age of consultation but people do not always pay attention to what they are consulting on? We have already raised the issue of referendums. Would he rule out the use of referendums as part of the consultation process, or rule it in? Would it be appropriate in certain circumstances? At the moment, we can consult till the cows come home but if we do not pay attention to what people want locally, it does not make much difference.