HC Deb 01 August 1978 vol 955 cc224-6W
Miss Richardson

asked the Minister for the Civil Service (1) if he will name those countries the experience of which will be the subject of the study promised in paragraph 49 of the White Papet on the Official Secrets Act;

(2) whether the study promised in paragraph 49 of the White Paper on the Official Secrets Act will cost the option of a statutory right of access to official information in the United Kingdom,

(3) in what form the Government will announce the conclusions of the study promised in paragraph 49 of the White Paper on the Official Secrets Act;

(4) on what time scale the Government hope to complete the study promised in paragraph 49 of the White Paper on the Official Secrets Act;

(5) whether the study promised in paragraph 49 of the White Paper on the Official Secrets Act will be made by a body outside Government;

(6) which Departments of the Government will be responsible for the study promised in paragraph 49 of the White Paper on the Official Secrets Act;

(7) why there has been so much delay in commissioning the study promised in paragraph 49 of the White Paper on the Official Secrets Act, in the light of the reference in the Gracious Speech of November 1974.

Mr. Charles R. Morris

As stated in paragraph 42 of the White Paper on the Official Secrets Act (Cmnd. 7285), it is Government policy to continue to expand the flow of information to Parliament and the public. Since the Gracious Speech of November 1974, there has been a substantial increase in the volume of information made available. But, as my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary said in his statement of 19th July, the Government consider that reform of section 2 is a necessary preliminary to even greater openness.

The Government are considering the scope and terms of reference of the forthcoming study mentioned in paragraph 49 of the White Paper, and the way in which it will be carried out. The time scale will depend on the scope of the study. As the White Paper said we shall an- nounce our conclusions from this study in due course.