§ Mr. BrakeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on progress with freedom of information legislation. [95001]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienThe Consultation document on Freedom of Information, published on 24 May 1999, invited comments on the draft legislation. We received a total of 2,248 submissions, all but 400 of which were part of an organised petition about scientific experimentation on animals. Copies of the submission have been placed in the Library.
My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary announced on 22 October the changes we propose to make to the draft Bill following the consultation period. We will now seek to introduce a Freedom of Information Bill as soon as the legislative timetable allows.