Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill - PQs

20 Feb 2007 : Column 588W
Mr. Laws: To ask the Leader of the House whether (a) he and (b) officials from his office have been consulted by hon. Members on the drafting of the Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill. [120251]

Mr. Straw: My office was not involved in the drafting of the Bill. However, I and my officials have discussed the Bill and its progress with the right. hon. Member for Penrith and The Border (David Maclean) on a number of occasions.

22 Feb 2007 : Column 865W
Mr. Laws: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs whether (a) she, (b) other Ministers and (c) officials in her Department have been consulted by hon. Members over the drafting of the Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill; and if she will make a statement. [120254]

Bridget Prentice: Where a private Member's Bill receives Second Reading, the Government will often suggest drafting changes to ensure the Bill is technically correct. This is in line with the Cabinet Office's “Guide to Legislative Procedure”. In this case my Department provided recommendations to the right hon. Member for Penrith and The Border (David Maclean) on how his Bill would fit with the Freedom of Information Act's provisions.