§ 7. Mr. Simon HughesIf it is his policy for reports commissioned by Government from outside individuals or agencies to be published; and if he will make a statement. [30870]
§ Mr. KilfoyleWork commissioned from outside individuals or agencies is subject to the same criteria for publication and disclosure as other information held by government.
§ Mr. HughesThat is not a very helpful answer. Does the Minister agree, for example, that, if the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions commissions, at taxpayers' expense, a report from independent academics about the electoral system for London, that report should be published in the form in which it was submitted, rather than being sent back to the authors, altered at the Government's request and published only when it more accurately reflects the sort of messages and information that the Government want it to contain?
§ Mr. KilfoyleFirst, the specifics of that question would be best answered by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, and I shall bring them to his attention. The presumption in Government is that, unless there are good reasons to the contrary, such analytical information at least would be published.