2.13 The draft public data principles set a clear expectation that data releases, and their formats, should be demand-led. Nine departments told us that they have actively considered public demand, for example through formal consultations, forums on websites including www.data.gov.uk, and analysis of correspondence, parliamentary questions, media enquiries and Freedom of Information requests. There are some examples of departments specifically engaging with developers, for example through workshops or representation on some sector boards.
2.14 The Cabinet Office did not engage with the public to establish demand for the standard data releases outlined in the Prime Minister's letters, but did consult with developers and industry to identify the additional releases announced in the Autumn Statement 20116 (see paragraph 4.1).
2.15 None of the departments reported significant spontaneous public demand for the standard dataset releases. For example, page views for transparency data on the Ministry of Justice website represented just 0.02 per cent of the overall site traffic from April to September 2011. Service-specific releases have attracted greater interest. The Department for Education's school website tool has received on average 45,000 views per month in the first two months since its release in September 2011. By comparison, the transparency page on the Department's website, which includes links to its standard data sets, received on average 600 views per month in the period from April 2011 to October 2011. However, departmental figures do not include users of third party websites or applications.