HC Deb 18 April 1994 vol 241 c367W
Mr. Llew Smith

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is the definition to be adopted by Her Majesty's Government of "vexatious" as used in paragraph 9 of the code of practice on access to Government information; what criteria will be used to judge whether or not a request for information is vexatious; and if he will give an explanation for the change in wording of paragraph 15(b) on statutory and other restrictions on information disclosure in regard to Parliament compared to paragraph xv of the draft code.

Mr. Waldegrave

"Vexatious" as used in the code of practice bears its natural and ordinary meaning. Whether or not a particular request is "vexatious" is a matter which needs to be established on a case-by-case basis. The Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration would be able to investigate complaints that Departments had applied this or any other exemption unreasonably. On the final part of his question, I refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave him on 12 April at column 26.