§ Mr. YeoTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) if she will place in the Library a copy of correspondence between Ministers and officials in her Department and Mr. Ken Bates on the subject of(a) Wembley National Stadium Ltd. and (b) an English national stadium since 1 May 1997; [58115]
(2) if she will place in the Library a copy of correspondence between Ministers and officials in her Department and the (a) chairman and (b) directors of Wembley National Stadium Ltd. since 1 May 1997. [58114]
§ Mr. Caborn[holding answer 21 May 2002]No. Such correspondence is covered by the exemptions set out in Part II of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information which cover third party commercial confidences and information given in confidence. This is in line with the practice observed by previous Governments. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has already placed in the Library of the House an exchange of correspondence between herself and Sir Rodney Walker, the then chairman of Wembley National Stadium Ltd., in answer to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Brentford and Isleworth (Ann Keen) on 14 February 2002,Official Report, columns 597–98W. This exchange contained an explanation of the Government's commitment to the project for the benefit of WNSL's then bankers and others who were or might become involved in the Football Association's project. Given it was essentially a public commitment, my right hon. Friend considered it important that Parliament should see its contents. This was done with the consent of Wembley National Stadium Ltd.