Departmental Responsibilities
Communities and Local Government
Written answers and statements, 28 October 2009
Caroline Spelman (Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Communities and Local Government; Meriden, Conservative)
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what consideration he has given to the application of the precautionary principle in relation to the development of public policy.
Barbara Follett (Minister of State (the East of England), Regional Affairs; Stevenage, Labour)
People's perceptions of public risk often differ from actual levels of risk. These distorted public perceptions may encourage poor policy-making and unnecessary laws, leading people to feel that Government is interfering too much in their lives. Strong leadership from the Government is necessary to counter these trends and to help foster a more considered approach to risk and public policy making. In handling public risk, Communities and Local Government follows the guidance of the Risk and Regulation Advisory Council by placing emphasis on understanding the risk in context, actively engaging with a broad community, and effective communication.