Freedom of Information (Hansard, 30 July 1997)

§ 13. Helen Jones
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what representations he has received regarding freedom of information. [9719]

§ 15. Mr. Jim Cunningham
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what recent representations he has received regarding freedom of information legislation. [9721]

§ Dr. David Clark
My Department has received representations from more than 70 organisations and individuals, all welcoming the Government's plans for greater openness and a freedom of information Act.

§ 17. Mr. Martyn Jones
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the progress of the White Paper on freedom of information. [9723]

§ 28. Ann Clwyd
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the proposed White Paper on freedom of information. [9735]

§ Dr. Clark
I refer my hon. Friends to the answer I gave earlier to my hon. Friend the Member for Falkirk, West (Mr. Canavan).

§ 18. Mr. Skinner
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the obstacles to the early introduction of a White Paper on freedom of information legislation. [9724]
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§ Dr. Clark
The time necessary to prepare fully considered proposals on this integral part of our radical programme of constitutional reform.

§ 20. Mr. Stringer
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what steps he will take to study the experience of other countries in developing freedom of information legislation. [9726]

§ Dr. Clark
In developing our proposals for freedom of information legislation we are studying the experience of a number of other countries. I am planning to visit Canada, Australia and New Zealand later this year to look at the implementation and operation of their freedom of information regimes. I also took the opportunity to look at the American experience of freedom of information during my recent trip to the United States of America.

§ 24. Mr. Rooney
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what consultations he has had with ministerial colleagues on proposed freedom of information legislation. [9731]

§ Dr. Clark
I have had a number of useful discussions with ministerial colleagues.

§ Mr. Llew Smith
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if his proposals for freedom of information legislation will apply to(a) British Nuclear Fuels plc and (b) other publicly owned companies. [11227]

§ Dr. Clark
Our intention is that the freedom of information Act will apply not only to central Government Departments and agencies but to the public sector more widely. Details will be set out in the forthcoming White Paper.