§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received on the draft Freedom of Information Bill proposing the(a) repeal and (b) amendment of Clause 28(7) of the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974. [93281]
§ Mr. StrawI have received one representation referring to section 28(7) of the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974 in the course of the consultation on the draft Freedom of Information Bill. This response, from the Health and Safety Commission, recorded their desire for the removal of the restriction in section 28 of the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974, subject to certain minimum safeguards against prejudice to their enforcement and regulatory functions.
It is intended that the Freedom of Information Bill will be used to repeal or amend many existing statutory prohibitions on disclosure, where appropriate.
274WAll statutory prohibitions are currently being reviewed to see if they would be suitable candidates for repeal or amendment. Section 28 of the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974 has been considered as part of this review and the statutory prohibition on disclosure contained in it is a strong candidate for repeal or amendment under the draft Freedom of Information Bill.