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Freedom of Information Act 'affecting good government'

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Published Date: 25 May 2007
A SENIOR Cabinet minister fears that the Freedom of Information Act is "placing good government at risk" by forcing sensitive papers to be disclosed.
Alistair Darling, the Trade Secretary, has written to Lord Falconer, the Lord Chancellor and Secretary for Constitutional Affairs, expressing his worries. His intervention comes amid a row about MPs voting to exempt themselves from the legislation.

Although Mr Darling has not backed that move, his concerns about disclosure will add to pressure for reform of the Freedom of Information Act.

In his letter, Mr Darling said that officials' advice to ministers could be published under the act, potentially deterring officials from putting that advice in writing.

He also worries that private correspondence between ministers and MPs could be revealed, further limiting the government's ability to formulate policy. "If we are to live under constant threat of publication, this will prevent MPs from expressing their views frankly when writing to a minister. We need urgent advice on what the position is," Mr Darling wrote.



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  • Last Updated: 24 May 2007 8:35 PM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Related Topics: Freedom of information
 
1

One-man-bucket's older twin,

25/05/2007 00:47:22

"If we are to live under constant threat of publication, this will prevent MPs from expressing their views frankly when writing to a minister. We need urgent advice on what the position is," Mr Darling wrote."

Are constituents not entitled to know what the MPs they voted for really think?

After all. government increasingly tries to impose restrictions on voters' rights to privacy - eg., CCTV, ID cards, etc.

2

BW2,

Everywhere 25/05/2007 00:51:02

Crown Office need to start revealing Crown precognitions to defence teams.
Check my Crown disclosure policy forum at the following and see how crown refuse to reveal statements i already have. What a Joke.
You will also see Jurors names and Addresses on the flickr links in this forum but i am told under data protection and public interest i cannot see the other crown witness precognitions and two ID Parade reports

http://sccrcunjustdecisions.myfastforum.org/about3.html

http://williambeck.blogspot.com/

3

Guga II,

Rockall 25/05/2007 02:19:06

What's that line the numpties are always coming up with when they are trying to force through their ID card legislation and all the other limitations to our privacy? Ah yes, if you've nothing to hide, you've nothing to fear.

Obviously they have a lot to hide from the people that pay their wages.

4

Ubi,

Edinburgh 25/05/2007 04:01:53

It is not accepted that best government is secret government.

The very peculiar Darling did not publicly reveal this preference for secrecy during the recent election campaigns when people would have had the opportunity to vote on it.

5

Duke,

25/05/2007 04:07:49

This is just typical from Darling, a New Labour parasite. He obviously doesn't want New Labours connections with the Nuclear Power industry to be revealed. After all their so called consultation document on Nuclear Power has already been labled a sham by a High Court Judge.

6

cammie,

east lothian 25/05/2007 05:20:39

And the "experts" didnt see that FOI was going to allow ordinary people like me to find out more about how the system works, eh? So now it is seen as a barrier to "good government" and restricting what MPs say in correspondence? Theyll just have to be careful what they write then.
And, coincidentally, FOI and FOISA have coincided with the inexorable rise in the numbers of Tsars and Commissioners who have become the spokesman and the deliverers of policy to protect politicians from their own public follies.
Let battle commence.

7

BK,

Cyberspace 25/05/2007 08:44:22

The pigs are squealing when their snoots in the trough are being revealed! It's not good government this contemptible lot are interested in - it's covering up bad government to make it look good that they want! New Labour, led by the Master of Lies and his spin doctors, cannot stand the truth any more than a vampire can daylight.

8

sam the god,

25/05/2007 08:53:25

good goverment and new labour are the exact opoposite

9

Hadrian,

25/05/2007 10:53:06

Hav'nt seen much good government for a long time, since well before the FOI.
Who do these clown think employs them?
An employer has a right to know what there employees are up to, and correct them if necessary.
Could it be this shower have been in power so long they have forgotten they have employers. Divine Right of Nu-Lab to rule?

Could be it requires an ELECTION to rattle the pig pens and get the snouts out of the trough.
We as the final employers (i.e voters) have a RIGHT to know what they are up to,after all, who is paying the bills?
The FOI is not all encompassing by any means, but it is needed because we dont trust them, too many lies over too long a time.
Hopefully things will greatly improve in Scotland with a new administration and a new attitude.

10

Lynn,

Madison, Wisconsin, USA 25/05/2007 20:33:51

He's joking, right?


 

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