Westminster Hall debate on a motion for the adjournment of the House on government responsibilities under the Freedom of Information Act.

Westminster Hall debate on a motion for the adjournment of the House on government responsibilities under the Freedom of Information Act.

The hon. Gentleman says it is waffle, but I am proud, because in less than two years we have achieved all that I mentioned—which is more than his party did in 13 years in power—in giving people information about what the state is doing in their name. I do not...

The hon. Gentleman says it is waffle, but I am proud, because in less than two years we have achieved all that I mentioned—which is more than his party did in 13 years in power—in giving people information about what the state is doing in their name. I do not...

The point that I am trying to make—I will give way after doing so—is that this level of transparency is unprecedented and today's debate, which challenges the Government and questions their commitment to transparency in some ways, needs to be seen against this background. So much of the long list...

The point that I am trying to make—I will give way after doing so—is that this level of transparency is unprecedented and today's debate, which challenges the Government and questions their commitment to transparency in some ways, needs to be seen against this background. So much of the long list...

I am grateful for the hon. Lady's clarification. I was wondering what the piece of paper that was thrust into my hand was. It is a long list of questions and we will do our best. In some ways, the hon. Lady was challenging the Government on their important commitment...

I am grateful for the hon. Lady's clarification. I was wondering what the piece of paper that was thrust into my hand was. It is a long list of questions and we will do our best. In some ways, the hon. Lady was challenging the Government on their important commitment...

I am getting to the meat of the debate, which raises important issues about freedom of information requests and private e-mails. That is a complex new matter.

I am getting to the meat of the debate, which raises important issues about freedom of information requests and private e-mails. That is a complex new matter.

The hon. Lady intervenes from a sedentary position. The answer to that question is that we will not disclose the advice or the manner in which it was communicated—we would not normally disclose that, and we will not do so now. The more substantive issue is what happens now, in...

The hon. Lady intervenes from a sedentary position. The answer to that question is that we will not disclose the advice or the manner in which it was communicated—we would not normally disclose that, and we will not do so now. The more substantive issue is what happens now, in...

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship for the first time, Dr McCrea. I follow convention in congratulating the hon. Member for Wigan (Lisa Nandy) not just on securing the debate, but for the way that she presented her case. We served together quite happily, I think, on...

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship for the first time, Dr McCrea. I follow convention in congratulating the hon. Member for Wigan (Lisa Nandy) not just on securing the debate, but for the way that she presented her case. We served together quite happily, I think, on...