Mary Henry (Independent)

I move amendment No. 4:

In page 8, lines 40 to 43 and in page 9, lines 1 to 18, to delete paragraph (a).

I am out of the traps at last. It is unfortunate that we have to table amendments at all. The main thrust of the Bill was to be that the time limit for disclosure of Government papers would be extended from five to ten years. I would have no difficulty with that if, for the workings of Government, it is found easier to put in place a longer period, having regard to the fact that many people involved in making decisions five years ago are probably still in power. The real difficulty is that we now seem to have extended the definition of Government to virtually any two or three people who are gathered together in the name of the Government, no matter how vaguely connected. Consequently, whatever they may discuss will remain undisclosed for ten years and freedom of information will not apply to quite important documents which may relate to Government decisions. That extension is far too great and, consequently, we have put down this and subsequent amendments.