§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will list all those in her Department who have authority to issue public interest immunity certificates; how many such certificates have been issued in each of the last five years; and what were the main reasons for them. [1391]
§ Mr. ForthA claim to public interest immunity relating to departmental documents or information is normally made by the appropriate Minister.
There was one case in 1991 and one in 1992 in which a certificate was used inter partes in proceedings.
183WThe certificates were issued in respect of advice by Her Majesty's inspectorate of schools and officials in the context of appeals under section 8(6) of the Education Act 1981 in order to protect the confidentiality of full and frank advice given to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State.