§ Mr. Martyn JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures have been taken in accordance with the declaration on the right of access to information within the treaty on European Union by(a) the Commission and (b) the British Government. [33140]
§ Mr. David DavisWe have played a leading role in developing access to information in the Community. Following the Birmingham declaration an openness in October 1992, the Council and the Commission jointly agreed a code of conduct on public access to documents, which is now in operation. A number of Council debates have been televised. Council debates are preceded by comprehensive press briefing and followed by press releases giving details of votes on legislative acts. These press releases are made available to Parliament.
Since the Maastricht declaration on the right of access to information the Government have extended their own procedures to take account of the creation of the European Union, and notably the new intergovernmental pillars. Key documents are deposited in Parliament. For legislative proposals, explanatory memoranda are made available to the public through libraries and information centres.