HC Deb 29 June 1998 vol 315 c37W
Mr. Matthew Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what reviews she has undertaken of the European Commission's implementation of the Code of Conduct on Public Access to Commission Documents. [47459]

Clare Short

I refer the hon. Member to my answer to him of 8 June 1998,Official Report, column 446, about the steps the Government are taking to increase access to information about EC development projects.

It is for the Commission to review their implementation of the Code of Conduct on Public Access to Commission Documents. They collate annual statistics which are available on request. For 1997, these showed that 89.3 per cent. of the 745 admissible requests for documents requested were released. 11.9 per cent. of requests related to external affairs, including development.

Any cases of apparent maladministration in the Commission's implementation of its Code may be referred to the European Ombudsman.