§ Mr. ToddTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to his answer of 19 April 2002,Official Report, column 1213W, on the Child Support Agency, if he will place copies of the OGC Gateway reviews in the Library. [53078]
§ Malcolm WicksThe administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mr. Doug Smith. He will write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Doug Smith to Mr. Todd, dated 3 July 2002:
The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in replying to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency promised a substantive reply by me.You ask if, pursuant to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions answer of the 19th April, Official Report column 1213w on the Child Support Agency, if he will place copies of the two OGC Gateway reviews in the Library.I do not think that it is appropriate to do so. The strength of the OGC Gateway review process is that it is speedy and generates robust, unvarnished opinion and advice. This is invaluable and I would not wish to see an awareness that a report may become public, to constrain the reviewers willingness to provide advice in this way.This concern is recognised in the code of practice on access to government information. This exempts from disclosure, inter alia "information whose disclosure would harm the frankness and candour of internal discussion, including: internal opinion, advice, recommendation, consultation and deliberation". Against that background I am sorry but I am unable to reply positively to your request.