We will just have to see where this thing leads Bern. I may not have such direct experience, true, but I am quite sure such people will be involved and advising the government on this legislation.
Yes and no, BarryW. Consultations are not always either appropriate or the right course of action. And if they are to be used should be used before the event. The prisons debacle is a good example. Announcements were made, knee jerk fashion, about halving sentences for this and that, but before proper consultation with reliable and sensible bodies such as the Prison Reform Group. Only now are such people being heard - although I have no confidence that they will be heard effectively - and an amount of backtracking has been required. It's all in the planning and in the audit.