§ Lords amendment: No. 4, after clause 1, to insert the following new clause—Effect of exemptions in Part II—
§ ".—(1) Where any provision of Part II states that the duty to confirm or deny does not arise in relation to any information, the effect of the provision is that where either—
- (a) the provision confers absolute exemption, or
- (b) in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exclusion of the duty to confirm or deny outweighs the public interest in disclosing whether the public authority holds the information,
§ (2) In respect of any information which is exempt information by virtue of any provision of Part II, section 1(1)(13) does not apply if or to the extent that—
- (a) the information is exempt information by virtue of a provision conferring absolute exemption, or
- (b) in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.
§ (3) For the purposes of this section, the following provisions of Part II (and no others) are to be regarded as conferring absolute exemption—
- (a) section 19,
- (b) section 21,
- (c) section 30,
- (d) section 32,
- (e) section 34 so far as relating to information held by the House of Commons or the House of Lords,
- (f) in section 38—
- (i) subsection (1), and
- (ii) subsection (2) so far as relating to cases where the first condition referred to in that subsection is satisfied by virtue of subsection (3)(a)(i) or (b) of that section,
- (g) section 39, and
- (h) section 42."
§ Amendment proposed to the Lords amendment: (a), in line 18, at end insert—
§ '(2A) In making any determination under subsection (1)(b) or (2)(b) in respect of information which is exempt by virtue of section 28 and which has at any time been held by an authority for the purposes of ascertaining the cause of an accident or for any investigation or proceedings relating to any requirement relating to the health, safety or welfare of members of the public or of persons at work or the protection of the environment—
- (a) the public interest in disclosing whether the public authority holds the information shall be regarded as outweighing the public interest in maintaining the exclusion of the duty to confirm or deny; and
- (b) the public interest in disclosing the information shall be regarded as outweighing the public interest in maintaining the exemption
§ (2B) Where—
- (a) disclosing whether information referred to in subsection (2A) is held, or
- (b) disclosing information referred to in subsection (2A)
§ Question put, That the amendment to the Lords amendment be made:—
§ The House divided: Ayes 56, Noes 343.
748| Division No. 355] | [10.5 pm |
| AYES | |
| Allan, Richard | Kennedy, Rt Hon Charles |
| Ashdown, Rt Hon Paddy | (Ross Skye & Inverness W) |
| Ballard, Jackie | Kirkwood, Archy |
| Bell, Martin (Tatton) | Livsey, Richard |
| Brake, Tom | Llwyd, Elfyn |
| Brand, Dr Peter | McDonnell, John |
| Breed, Colin | McNamara, Kevin |
| Bruce, Malcolm (Gordon) | Michie, Mrs Ray (Argyll & Bute) |
| Burnett, John | Mitchell, Austin |
| Burstow, Paul | Moore, Michael |
| Campbell, Rt Hon Menzies | Oaten, Mark |
| (NE Fife) | Ross, William (E Lond'y) |
| Chidgey, David | Russell, Bob (Colchester) |
| Clark, Rt Hon Dr David (S Shields) | Sanders, Adrian |
| Corbett, Robin | Shepherd, Richard |
| Corbyn, Jeremy | Simpson, Alan (Nottingham S) |
| Cotter, Brian | Skinner, Dennis |
| Davey, Edward (Kingston) | Smyth, Rev Martin (Belfast S) |
| Fearn, Ronnie | Stunell, Andrew |
| Foster, Don (Bath) | Taylor, Simon (Truro) |
| Gidley, Sandra | Thomas, Simon (Ceredigion) |
| Hancock, Mike | Tonge, Dr Jenny |
| Harris, Dr Evan | Tyler, Paul |
| Harvey, Nick | Vis, Dr Rudi |
| Heath, David (Somerton & Frome) | Webb, Steve |
| Hughes, Simon (Southwark N) | Wigley, Rt Hon Dafydd |
| Jones, Ms Jenny | Willis, Phil |
| (Wolverh'ton SW) | Wright, Tony (Cannock) |
| Jones, Dr Lynne (Selly Oak) | Tellers for the Ayes: |
| Jones, Nigel (Cheltenham) | Sir Robert Smith and |
| Keetch, Paul | Mr. Lembit Öpik. |
| NOES | |
| Abbott, Ms Diane | Browne, Desmond |
| Adams, Mrs Irene (Paisley N) | Buck, Ms Karen |
| Ainger, Nick | Burden, Richard |
| Ainsworth, Robert (Cov'try NE) | Burgon, Colin |
| Alexander, Douglas | Butler, Mrs Christine |
| Allen, Graham | Byers, Rt Hon Stephen |
| Anderson, Donald (Swansea E) | Caborn, Rt Hon Richard |
| Anderson, Janet (Rossendale) | Campbell, Alan (Tynemouth) |
| Armstrong, Rt Hon Ms Hilary | Campbell, Mrs Anne (C'bridge) |
| Ashton, Joe | Campbell, Ronnie (Blyth V) |
| Atherton, Ms Candy | Campbell-Savours, Dale |
| Atkins, Charlotte | Cann, Jamie |
| Austin, John | Caplin, Ivor |
| Banks, Tony | Casale, Roger |
| Barnes, Harry | Caton, Martin |
| Barron, Kevin | Cawsey, Ian |
| Battle, John | Chapman, Ben (Wirral S) |
| Bayley, Hugh | Chaytor, David |
| Beard, Nigel | Clapham, Michael |
| Begg, Miss Anne | Clark, Dr Lynda |
| Bell, Stuart (Middlesbrough) | (Edinburgh Pentlands) |
| Bennett, Andrew F | Clark, Paul (Gillingham) |
| Benton, Joe | Clarke, Charles (Norwich S) |
| Bermingham, Gerald | Clarke, Eric (Midlothian) |
| Berry, Roger | Clarke, Rt Hon Tom (Coatbridge) |
| Best, Harold | Clarke, Tony (Northampton S) |
| Betts, Clive | Clelland, David |
| Blackman, Liz | Clwyd, Ann |
| Blears, Ms Hazel | Coaker, Vernon |
| Blizzard, Bob | Coffey, Ms Ann |
| Blunkett, Rt Hon David | Coleman, Iain |
| Boateng, Rt Hon Paul | Colman, Tony |
| Borrow, David | Connarty, Michael |
| Bradley, Keith (Withington) | Cook, Frank (Stockton N) |
| Bradley, Peter (The Wrekin) | Cooper, Yvette |
| Bradshaw, Ben | Corston, Jean |
| Brinton, Mrs Helen | Cousins, Jim |
| Brown, Rt Hon Nick (Newcastle E) | Crausby, David |
| Brown, Russell (Dumfries) | Cryer, Mrs Ann (Keighley) |
| Cryer, John (Hornchurch) | Hughes, Ms Beverley (Stretford) |
| Cummings, John | Hughes, Kevin (Doncaster N) |
| Cunningham, Jim (Cov'try S) | Humble, Mrs Joan |
| Dalyell, Tam | Hurst, Alan |
| Darling, Rt Hon Alistair | Hutton, John |
| Darvill, Keith | Iddon, Dr Brian |
| Davey, Valerie (Bristol W) | Illsley, Eric |
| Davidson, Ian | Jackson, Ms Glenda (Hampstead) |
| Davies, Rt Hon Denzil (Llanelli) | Jackson, Helen (Hillsborough) |
| Davies, Geraint (Croydon C) | Jenkins, Brian |
| Davis, Rt Hon Terry | Johnson, Miss Melanie |
| (B'ham Hodge H) | (Welwyn Hatfield) |
| Dawson, Hilton | Jones, Mrs Fiona (Newark) |
| Dean, Mrs Janet | Jones, Helen (Warrington N) |
| Denham, John | Jones, Martyn (Clwyd S) |
| Dismore, Andrew | Kaufman, Rt Hon Gerald |
| Dobbin, Jim | Keeble, Ms Sally |
| Dobson, Rt Hon Frank | Keen, Alan (Feltham & Heston) |
| Donohoe, Brian H | Keen, Ann (Brentford & Isleworth) |
| Doran, Frank | Kemp, Fraser |
| Dowd, Jim | Kennedy, Jane (Wavertree) |
| Drew, David | Khabra, Piara S |
| Dunwoody, Mrs Gwyneth | Kidney, David |
| Eagle, Angela (Wallasey) | Kilfoyle, David |
| Eagle, Maria (L'pool Garston) | King, Andy (Rugby & Kenilworth) |
| Edwards, Huw | King, Ms Oona (Bethnal Green) |
| Efford, Clive | Kumar, Dr Ashok |
| Ellman, Mrs Louise | Ladyman, Dr Stephen |
| Ennis, Jeff | Lammy, David |
| Field, Rt Hon Frank | Laxton, Bob |
| Fitzpatrick, Jim | Lepper, David |
| Fitzsimons, Mrs Lorna | Leslie, Christopher |
| Flint, Caroline | Levitt, Tom |
| Flynn, Paul | Lewis, Ivan (Bury S) |
| Foster, Rt Hon Derek | Lewis, Terry (Worsley) |
| Foster, Michael Jabez (Hastings) | Linton, Martin |
| Foster, Michael J (Worcester) | Lloyd, Tony (Manchester C) |
| Foulkes, George | Lock, David |
| Galloway, George | Love, Andrew |
| Gapes, Mike | McAvoy, Thomas |
| Gardiner, Barry | McCabe, Steve |
| George, Bruce (Walsall S) | McCafferty, Ms Chris |
| Gerrard, Neil | McCartney, Rt Hon Ian |
| Gibson, Dr Ian | (Makerfield) |
| Gilroy, Mrs Linda | McDonagh, Siobhain |
| Godsiff, Roger | Macdonald, Calum |
| Goggins, Paul | McFall, John |
| Golding, Mrs Llin | McIsaac, Shona |
| Gordon, Mrs Eileen | McKenna, Mrs Rosemary |
| Griffiths, Jane (Reading E) | McNulty, Tony |
| Griffiths, Nigel (Edinburgh S) | MacShane, Denis |
| Griffiths, Win (Bridgend) | Mactaggart, Fiona |
| Grocott, Bruce | McWalter, Tony |
| Grogan, John | McWilliam, John |
| Hall, Mike (Weaver Vale) | Mahon, Mrs Alice |
| Hamilton, Fabian (Leeds NE) | Mallaber, Judy |
| Hanson, David | Marsden, Gordon (Blackpool S) |
| Harman, Rt Hon Ms Harriet | Marsden, Paul (Shrewsbury) |
| Healey, John | Marshall, Jim (Leicester S) |
| Henderson, Doug (Newcastle N) | Marshall-Andrews, Robert |
| Henderson, Ivan (Harwich) | Martlew, Eric |
| Hepburn, Stephen | Maxton, John |
| Heppell, John | Meacher, Rt Hon Michael |
| Hesford, Stephen | Meale, Alan |
| Hewitt, Ms Patricia | Merron, Gillian |
| Hill, Keith | Michael, Rt Hon Alun |
| Hinchliffe, David | Michie, Bill (Shef'ld Heeley) |
| Hodge, Ms Margaret | Milburn, Rt Hon Alan |
| Home Robertson, John | Miller, Andrew |
| Hood, Jimmy | Moffatt, Laura |
| Hope, Phil | Moonie, Dr Lewis |
| Hopkins, Kelvin | Moran, Ms Margaret |
| Howarth, Rt Hon Alan (Newport E) | Morgan, Ms Julie (Cardiff N) |
| Howarth, George (Knowsley N) | Morley, Elliot |
| Howells, Dr Kim | |
| Hoyle, Lindsay |
| Morris, Rt Hon Ms Estelle | Smith, Miss Geraldine |
| (B'ham Yardley) | (Morecambe & Lunesdale) |
| Morris, Rt Hon Sir John | Smith, Jacqui (Redditch) |
| (Aberavon) | Smith, John (Glamorgan) |
| Mudie, George | Smith, Llew (Blaenau Gwent) |
| Mullin, Chris | Snape, Peter |
| Murphy, Denis (Wansbeck) | Southworth, Ms Helen |
| Murphy, Jim (Eastwood) | Spellar, John |
| Murphy, Rt Hon Paul (Torfaen) | Squire, Ms Rachel |
| Naysmith, Dr Doug | Strkey, Dr Phyllis |
| Norris, Dan | Steinberg, Gerry |
| O'Brien, Bill (Normanton) | Stevenson, George |
| O'Brien, Mike (N Warks) | Stewart, David (Inverness E) |
| Olner, Bill | Stewart, Ian (Eccles) |
| O'Neill, Martin | Stinchcombe, Paul |
| Organ, Mrs Diana | Stoate, Dr Howard |
| Osborne, Ms Sandra | Straw, Rt Hon Jack |
| Palmer, Dr Nick | Stringer, Graham |
| Pearson, Ian | Stuart, Ms Gisela |
| Pendry, Tom | Sutcliffe, Gerry |
| Perham, Ms Linda | Taylor, Rt Hon Mrs Ann |
| Pickthall, Colin | (Dewsbury) |
| Plaskitt, James | Taylor, Ms Dari (Stockton S) |
| Pollard, Kerry | Taylor, David (NW Leics) |
| Pond, Chris | Temple-Morris, Peter |
| Pope, Greg | Thomas, Gareth (Clwyd W) |
| Pound, Stephen | Thomas, Gareth R (Harrow W) |
| Powell, Sir Raymond | Timms, Stephen |
| Prentice, Ms Bridget (Lewisham E) | Tipping, Paddy |
| Prentice, Gordon (Pendle) | Todd, Mark |
| Prescott, RI Hon John | Touhig, Don |
| Primarolo, Dawn | Trickett, Jon |
| Prosser, Gwyn | Truswell, Paul |
| Purchase, Ken | Turner, Dennis (Wolverh'ton SE) |
| Quin, Rt Hon Ms Joyce | Turner, Dr Desmond (Kemptown) |
| Quinn, Lawrie | Turner, Dr George (NW Norfolk) |
| Radice, Rt Hon Giles | Turner, Neil(Wigan) |
| Rammell, Bill | Twigg, Derek (Halton) |
| Rapson, Syd | Twigg, Stephen (Enfield) |
| Raynsford, Nick | Tynan, Bill |
| Reed, Andrew (Loughborough) | Vaz, Keith |
| Reid, Rt Hon Dr John (Hamilton N) | Walley, Ms Joan |
| Robinson, Geoffrey (Cov'try NW) | Ward, Ms Claire |
| Roche, Mrs Barbara | Wareing, Robert N |
| Rooker, Rt Hon Jeff | Watts, David |
| Rooney, Terry | White, Brian |
| Ross, Ernie (Dundee W) | Whitehead, Dr Alan |
| Rowlands, Ted | Wicks, Malcolm |
| Roy, Frank | Williams, Rt Hon Alan |
| Ruane, Chris | (Swansea W) |
| Ruddock, Joan | Williams, Alan W (E Carmarthen) |
| Russell, Ms Christine (Chester) | Williams, Mrs Betty (Conwy) |
| Ryan, Ms Joan | Wills, Michael |
| Salter, Martin | Wilson, Brian |
| Savidge, Malcolm | Winnick, David |
| Sawford, Phil | Woolas, Phil |
| Sedgemore, Brian | Worthington, Tony |
| Shaw, Jonathan | Wray, James |
| Sheerman, Barry | Wright, Anthony D (Gt Yarmouth) |
| Sheldon, Rt Hon Robert | Wyatt, Derek |
| Short, Rt Hon Clare | |
| Singh, Marsha | Tellers for the Noes: |
| Smith, Rt Hon Andrew (Oxford E) | Mr. David Jamieson and |
| Smith, Angela (Basildon) | Mrs. Anne McGuire. |
§ Question accordingly negatived.
§ Lords amendment agreed to.
§ Mr. Paul Tyler (North Cornwall)On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Have you received any indication that the Government intend to make a business statement? The House will be aware that the other place has voted against the Government by a majority of seven on National Air Traffic Services. Earlier, I asked the Minister whether the 749 Government intended to bring that matter back to the House tomorrow at 10 pm if the Government were defeated in the other place. Notwithstanding the fact that only 32 per cent. of Tory peers turned out, compared with 77 per cent. of Liberal Democrats, the Government have been defeated. The Minister was not able to answer my question earlier. Have you had any indication that the Government intend to make a statement?
§ Mr. SpeakerI think that the House will have got the gist of the message that the hon. Gentleman is trying to put across. That matter has nothing to do with me. No one has approached me about any statement.