§ Mrs. ClwydTo ask the Prime Minister if he will draw up a new code of practice on ministerial accountability to Parliament; and if he will ensure a right of access under such a code of practice on ministerial accountability to Parliament to full documents rather than solely the information they contain. [6008]
§ The Prime MinisterThe standards expected of Ministers in relation to their duty of accountability to Parliament are laid down in "Questions of Procedure for Ministers". Following recommendations in the Public Service Committee's recent report on "Ministerial Accountability and Responsibility", an amendment has been made to the opening section on ministerial conduct. This now includes the statement that Ministers
must be as open as possible with Parliament and the public, withholding information only when disclosure would not be in the public interest, which should be decided in accordance with relevant statute and the Government's Code of Practice on Access to Government information".In addition, and also following a recommendation from the Public Service Committee, my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster has initiated discussions with the main opposition parties with a view to bringing forward a resolution of the House on how it expects Ministers to discharge their responsibilities to Parliament.
The reason the Government believe that their commitment to openness is best expressed in terms of access to information, rather than in terms of access to specific documents, is set out in the Government's response to the Public Service Committee's report.