§ Order for Second Reading read.
2.27 pm§ Mr. Norman Baker (Lewes)I beg to move, That the Bill be now read a Second time.
I am delighted to have the opportunity to promote this important Bill. The Government have announced their intention to introduce a White Paper to free up our information supply. That is welcome, and what was presented by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster was in many ways a superb Government document. However, it fell down in one important respect: it sought to preserve the 30-year rule.
We have a historical problem with secrecy in this country, much of which is linked with the administration of public records. For example, a file from 1935 entitled,
Taxi drivers carrying fares without depressing flag",is still secret. More importantly, there are papers from the Atomic Energy Authority dating from the 1950s that are still secret. There are many other documents that it would be useful for Members, and for members of the public, to see.I hope that the Government will give my proposal a fair wind.
There is perhaps a cost implication; that would explain why the Government have been reluctant to endorse the idea of a 20-year rather than a 30-year limit, because I know that they are sympathetic in principle to freedom of information. If cost is the problem, it is important that we have a wide debate in the House to try to overcome it. It may be possible, for example, rather than giving a blanket exemption for all documents, to prioritise certain documents—from the Cabinet, for instance—that could be released earlier, at the 20-year limit. I ask the Government to consider that proposal.
I intend to table an amendment designed to introduce a 20-year rule to the Government's freedom of information legislation if the Bill is not successful. I hope that the Government will view it sympathetically.
§ The Attorney—General (Mr. John Morris)The time is far too short for the hon. Member for Lewes (Mr. Baker) to set out his stall and, regrettably, for me to reply to him. I know of his long-standing interest in the matter. He tabled a whole series of questions and secured an Adjournment debate on the subject almost as soon as he came to the House. My right hon. and hon. Friends—
§ It being half-past Two o'clock, the debate stood adjourned.
§ Debate to be resumed upon Friday 27 March.