Norman Baker MP Member of Parliament for Lewes constituency
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Lewes MP exposes hypocrisy at centre of government
Lewes MP Norman Baker has used a question on the floor of the Commons to highlight that the department responsible for freedom of information is one of four departments which has breached the Government Code of Conduct.
Despite requests from FoI campaigners, the Department for Constitutional Affairs has failed to meet a 20-day deadline to reveal how many files they are disposing of prior to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 taking effect on January 1st.
Speaking during a question session in the House of Commons, Norman asked the Constitutional Affairs Minister Christopher Leslie:
“[Is The Minister aware] that freedom of information campaigners have sought access, under the Open Government Code, to each Department's disposal logs. Sadly, they have not had an answer from four Departments, including the Department for Constitutional Affairs. Is that because his civil servants, in the proactive way to which he referred, are busy shredding as much material as possible before 1 January?.”
In response, the Minister entirely ducked the question.
Speaking afterwards Norman comments:
“It is ironic that the government department supposed to be championing Freedom of Information is the very one that is failing to keep even to the terms of their present weaker code. Why don’t they want to reveal how many files are being destroyed? Perhaps it’s because the department’s civil servants are burning the midnight oil, shredding embarrassing documents, before the Act kicks in in January.”
A copy of Norman’s question and the Ministers response is attached
26 Oct 2004 : Column 1287Freedom of Information Act
22. Norman Baker (Lewes) (LD): What steps the Department are taking to ensure that the maximum amount of information held by the Government consistent with national security is available under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. [193530]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs (Mr. Christopher Leslie): The Freedom of Information Act brought in by the Government will make access to information a matter of right from 1 January next year. Before then, the Government are taking a proactive approach and releasing material through the publication schemes, many of which are available on departmental websites.
Norman Baker: The Minister may be aware that freedom of information campaigners have sought access, under the open government code, to each Department's disposal logs. Sadly, they have not had an answer from four Departments, including the Department for Constitutional Affairs. Is that because his civil servants, in the proactive way to which he referred, are busy shredding as much material as possible before 1 January?
Mr. Leslie: No. The Freedom of Information Act comes into force on 1 January, at which point applications can be made, as can adjudications by the Information Commissioner. We shall see how it works in practice that from point, although I am glad that we have been able proactively to put a significant volume of material in the public domain, well ahead of the requirements under that Act.