MPs reject Freedom of Information
MPs have passed a private member’s bill that would exempt them from the Freedom of Information Act (FoI).
It returned to the Commons today weeks after opponents had succeed in talking it out. However, critics failed to successfully replicate this approach and the bill passed by 96 votes to 25.
The amendment passed today read: “Information is exempt if it consists of correspondence between a Member of Parliament and public authority.”
The government has been accused of covertly supporting attempts to undermine its own legislation in its failure to openly criticise the bill.
It is highly unusual for a private members bill to pass into law without government backing, but critics fear Conservative David Maclean’s bill could now make it onto the statute books.
Critics had attempted to delay the bill again, tabling their own series of amendments and even complaining of a stray bucket in the lobby.
Ministers have not officially commented on the bill, although the leader of the house Jack Straw this week implied he was sympathetic towards it.
He told MPs: “It is all very well for some people to say that there are some exemptions, but the truth is that the way that some journalists and the information commissioner are acting means that that intention is not being met in practice.”
The backbench committee of the parliamentary Labour party has also indicated its support and emailed MPs to back the bill.
The committee wrote: “We feel strongly.that the measures contained in the bill, which would protect the confidentially of MPs correspondence on behalf of constituents, are worthy of support.”
Liberal Democrat leader Menzies Campbell has written to Gordon Brown calling on him to officially oppose the bill and prevent it passing into law.
He wrote: “I was pleased to hear your recent comments about the need for government to be more open and accountable to parliament, and the necessity of a new ministerial code of conduct.
“In that spirit of openness and transparency, I hope that you will take the opportunity to speak out against the freedom of information (amendment) bill, and to urge all of your colleagues in the parliamentary Labour party to do the same.
“Of all public figures, MPs have least right to be exempt from public scrutiny. We are elected to represent our constituents’ interests and to maintain high standards in public life.”
Sir Menzies warned passing the bill would enable MPs to keep their expenses claims private.
The bill effectively excludes the House of Commons and the House of Lords from the Freedom of Information Act. Its supporters claim this is necessary to protect the relationship between MPs and their constituents.
