HC Deb 10 February 1999 vol 325 cc257-9W
Mr. Canavan

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the Government's plans for legislation on freedom of information. [68642]

Mr. Straw

Freedom of information is an essential component of the Government's programme to modernise British politics, as set out in our manifesto. This programme of constitutional reform aims to involve people more closely in the decisions which affect their lives. Giving people greater access to information is fundamental to that aim.

The effect of a Freedom of Information Act will be that for the first time, every citizen in the country will have

ATFR recommendations which have been implemented are shown in the following table:

the right of access to information held by bodies across the public sector. I believe this will radically transform the relationship between Government and citizens.

The Government published their proposals for Freedom of Information in December 1997 in a White Paper entitled, "Your Right to Know". The Home Office took over responsibility for Freedom of Information legislation from the Cabinet Office in the Summer, to enable the policy to be developed alongside other constitutional measures, such as human rights and data protection. Since then, we have devoted a great deal of effort towards translating the White Paper's proposals into a draft Bill. That process is very nearly complete, and the Government will publish a draft Bill as soon as it is ready.

There are those who feel that the Government should have produced a Bill sooner. I must emphasise, however, that any delay is not an indication of a lack of commitment on the part of the Government. It is quite the reverse. Indeed, we have devoted additional resources to work on Freedom of Information. This is a complex subject. There have been a great number of issues to resolve; for example the need to address existing legislation which impinges on freedom of information, including that which arises from our international legal obligations; the need to consider the implications of devolution; the practicalities of the enforcement mechanism. These are just a few of the issues which have occupied us for some time, but I am convinced that we are right to take the time to get the detail right. If we are to achieve our aims then we must have an Act that is realistic and workable.

We therefore look forward to a thorough and informed debate when we publish the draft Bill. There will be a period of public consultation, during which the Bill will receive pre-legislative scrutiny by the Select Committee for Public Administration. We hope and expect that this process of scrutiny will lead to a more effective Bill. Following this period of consultation, the Government are committed to introducing the Bill to Parliament as soon as the legislative programme allows.

A Freedom of Information Act will radically change the way Government conducts its business. Government alone cannot bring about the cultural change necessary in public sector bodies for a more open approach in their relationship with the public. It will be for a wide variety of public bodies to implement the legislation, and cultural change must take place in all of those bodies if the Freedom of Information Act is to succeed. During the consultation period, I will set out my proposals for delivering this cultural change.