§ Alistair BurtTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his policy is on the application of the principle of commercial confidentiality in relation to the disclosure of information to inquiries which he has instigated. [129679]
§ Mr. BlunkettMy Department's policy in relation to the disclosure of information is to adhere to the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information and the principles of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, which becomes fully applicable from January 2005.
My Department is committed to the principles of open government and information will be disclosed in the public interest unless there are overriding commercial reasons (or legal constraints) not to disclose as allowed for under the exemptions described in the Code.