HC Deb 05 July 1999 vol 334 cc362-3W
Mr. Gordon Prentice

To ask the Prime Minister who chairs meetings of the JCCC in his absence. [89282]

The Prime Minister

Such an occasion has not arisen.

Mr. Gordon Prentice

To ask the Prime Minister (1) if he will list those hon. Members from the Liberal Democratic Party who have attended meetings of the JCCC; [89305]

(2) how many meetings of the JCCC there have been since its inception.[89303]

The Prime Minister

Like all Cabinet Committees, details of the proceedings of the Joint Consultative Committee are exempt from disclosure under the internal discussion and advice exemption of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

Mr. Gordon Prentice

To ask the Prime Minister if it is his policy that the JCCC should continue indefinitely. [89304]

The Prime Minister

The Joint Consultative Committee exists to consider policy issues of joint interest to the Government and the Liberal Democratic Party. I would expect it to remain in existence while it continues to fulfil this remit satisfactorily.

Mr. Gordon Prentice

To ask the Prime Minister what considerations led him to conclude that the subjects for discussion within the Joint Cabinet Consultative Committee should be exempt from the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. [89837]

The Prime Minister

Paragraph 2 of Part II of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information states that information is exempt from the commitments under the Code if its disclosure would harm the frankness and candour of internal discussion.

Mr. Gordon Prentice

To ask the Prime Minister if the 30 year rule applies to the Joint Cabinet Consultative Committee; and if he will make a statement. [89838]

The Prime Minister

Yes.

Mr. Gordon Prentice

To ask the Prime Minister if he will lift the exemption from disclosure under the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information of proceedings in the Joint Consultative Committee. [89815]

The Prime Minister

No.

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