Norman Baker MP Member of Parliament for Lewes constituency
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Norman Baker,
23 East Street,
Lewes,
East Sussex,
BN7 2LJ.
Tel: (01273) 480281.
Fax: (01273) 480287.
Email: info
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Norman Baker slams attempt to remove Parliament from Freedom of Information legislation
The Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill, an attempt to remove Parliament from the scope of the Freedom of Information Act, and create a new exemption under the Act for all communications between MPs and public authorities, is being debated in the House of Commons today.
The Committee Stage debate on the Bill, which has been introduced by David Maclean MP, described the case for the new legislation almost exclusively in terms of the need to protect MPs’ constituency correspondence from disclosure despite the fact that correspondence containing personal data is already protected under the Act’s existing exemptions and Data Protection legislation.
Commenting on the Bill, Norman Baker said:
"It is utter hypocrisy for Parliament to exempt itself from a law that it itself has promulgated. Freedom of Information is vital to a modern, democratic society. Sadly it seems that some of my fellow MPs want to return to the dark ages.
<>"What is even more worrying is that the Government appear to be complicit in this manoeuvre to exempt the House of Commons, which suggests that they now want to weaken their own Act. Freedom of Information is sadly not yet in the bloodstream in this country, it is still a flickering candle. I and other colleagues across party lines will be doing all we can to stop this regressive Bill being passed."