§ Ms. Colquhounasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will seek to amend the Local Government Act to make it mandatory upon local authorities to open all their sub-committee meetings to the Press and public.
§ Mr. FreesonNo. The Government have made clear in DOE Circular 45/75 their policy that sub-committees should be open save only where the council resolves to exclude the public on the grounds that publicity would be prejudicial to the public interest. I am sure that local authorities act responsibly in this matter and that further legislation is unnecessary.