HC Deb 02 July 1997 vol 297 c213W
19. Mr. Rooney

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what steps he has taken to make Government Departments more open. [4945]

Dr. David Clark

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave earlier to my hon. Friend the Member for Ellesmere Port and Neston, (Mr. Miller).

Mr. Corbyn

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on his policy on open government. [4950]

Dr. Clark

The Government is determined to bring greater transparency and openness to the working of Government and to public services more widely. Our proposed Freedom of Information Act is intended both to ensure people's right to official information and to improve the business of government itself.