HL Deb 03 February 1998 vol 585 cc105-6WA
Lord Pearson of Rannoch

asked Her Majesty's Government:

In view of their recent White Paper Your Right to Know: Freedom of Information, whether they will make available to the public the agendas and papers prepared for meetings of educational non-departmental public bodies such as the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority and the Teacher Training Agency in advance of meetings of such bodies. [HL325]

The Minister of State, Department for Education and Employment (Baroness Blackstone)

My department fully supports the proposals to achieve a more open and accountable government set out in the White Paper for a Freedom of Information Act, presented by my right honourable friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster in December 1997.

Currently the individual arrangements for making papers available to the public, including in advance of meetings, are a matter for each NDPB. Commercial considerations may also play a part. Each NDPB sponsored by this department will comply fully with all proposals enacted by Parliament. It will also be encouraged to adopt additional measures which improve openness and accountability including, where appropriate, establishing a website.