Derek McDowell (Labour)

I move amendment No. 12:

In page 6, to delete lines 20 to 47.

We had a lengthy discussion on this provision on Committee Stage. This is the "neither confirm nor deny" provision which is extended to several sections of the Bill. I move the amendment simply to allow the Minister an opportunity to give us the benefit of his speaking note. In conversation with his officials they explained to me very specific provisions which they intended to catch. It would be useful to have it outlined that that is the intention.

The problem is not what the officials told me but what the Bill does. For example, it allows for all measure of information that might be in the consideration of the person making the decision commercially sensitive to be withheld. There is a problem in so far as it appears to allow the decision maker a broad definition in neither confirming nor denying that there is a particular record. How far does the Minister see this extending?