This gives the Government an easy victory. Charter88 disagree with the Government that these concessions were substantial. A small cross-party group supported a Lib Dem amendment to force greater disclosure of information in relation to investigations. Scottish Executive publishes draft Freedom of Information Bill which gives substantially greater access than the UK Act. The Campaign for Freedom of Information welcomes the Bill, but still has reservations about the scope of exemptions.
Freedom of information is crucial to the political health of a modern democracy.
Such legislation is an unprecedented strengthening of the public's right to information - and a corresponding reduction in the freedom of authorities to withhold it. Under FOI an authority should not be able to insist on secrecy merely to conceal its mistakes, protect an ineffective policy from criticism or avoid unwelcome pressure for action. Freedom of information should mark a new relationship between the Government and the people. MPs are elected representatives of the people. They work on our behalf.