Open Government?

Norman Lamb, Lib Dem MP for North Norfolk and Shadow Secretary for Health, is quoted by the BBC as saying: "The government introduced the Freedom of Information Act. It is remarkable to see how resistant it is to complying with it."

The reason Mr Lamb, like a number of MPs, is annoyed with the Government is because of the number of written statements issued by the Government prior to the annual Parliamentary holidays. Over a hundred were released in a move that shadow Commons leader Theresa May described as showing "disdain" for MPs.

The statements include: details of the cost of Tony Blair's fairwell tour (£1.5million); details of how many claims are still outstanding at the Child Support Agency (£3.5billion); costs of chauffer driven cars for ministers last year (£6million); information about an Immigration reform programme and tax arrangements for flood victims.

The fact that this information has been released as written statements, rather that announced in Parliament, means that there is now no way for MPs to debate any of the issues or question ministers. Since some of the information was requested by MPs, and their requests previously denied until now, there is a suspicion that the Government is using the recess as a means of burying news and circumventing the democratic process.

As Norman Lamb commented, "Fundamentally I believe in open government and I think secrecy breeds suspicion."

Story on the BBc's website here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/6918266.stm