HL Deb 03 May 2001 vol 625 cc121-2WA
Lord Alli

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether there has been any progress on the negotiation on public access to EU documents. [HL2030]

Baroness Scotland of Asthal

After a year of difficult negotiations, the Commission, the Council and the European Parliament have all agreed in principle to a draft Regulation on public access to EU documents.

The United Kingdom's objective for these negotiations were to secure a Regulation which ensures:

  • greater openness (i.e. more EU documents being made available to the public);
  • proper protection for sensitive material;
  • a quick, user-friendly mechanism;
  • a consistent approach both by the Institutions and in member states;
  • compatibility with the United Kingdom Freedom of Information Act.

All these objectives have been met and we now have an arrangement which we believe will be a firm step forward in EU openness. The Government welcome this: we have long been an advocate of greater openness in the EU institutions. More accessible documents make for more accountable institutions.