§ Lord Pattenasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 21 May (WA 83), whether they will explain how information on when Cabinet meets, and the length of those meetings, if disclosed could "harm the frankness and candour of internal discussion". [HL4593]
§ Lord Williams of MostynSuccessive administrations have regarded the ability of Ministers to meet and discuss policy issues in private to be essential for effective decision-making. This is reflected in Exemption 2 of Part II of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information which states that disclosure of the proceedings of Cabinet or Cabinet committees would harm the frankness and candour of internal discussion, as I stated in my previous Answer on 21 May.