We accept that communications between Ministers, Cabinet and Cabinet Committee proceedings, as well as the provision of advice by law officers should be covered by a class-based exemption in the Bill. Nor do we believe that a class-based exemption for the operation of a Ministerial private office is appropriate. Question put, that the paragraph stand part of the Report. The Committee divided. We believe that the drafting of a provision allowing for the disclosure of factual background material should not be too taxing.
Similar provisions exist in other Freedom of Information Act.
The box opposite shows the Irish example. We accept that there may be difficulties in defining where background material stops and policy advice starts, but suspect that in practice public authorities and the Information Commissioner will together be able to come to a workable definition. Question put, that the paragraph stand part of the Report. The Committee divided. As with most of the other exemptions, it would be possible for an authority to release information which is exempt under this clause on consideration of the public interest in doing so under clause 14.