Freedom of Information Act 2000 Debate

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Department: Ministry of Justice

Freedom of Information Act 2000

Lord Lloyd of Berwick Excerpts
Wednesday 27th February 2013

(11 years, 8 months ago)

Lords Chamber
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Lord McNally Portrait Lord McNally
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On the contrary, my Lords. If you are asking questions of power, there is some reassurance in the fact that the system giving you the right to ask those questions allows for anonymity. It certainly is not an abuse of power; it is rather, as the debates have shown over the years, that anonymity gives protection and encouragement to those who want information.

Lord Lloyd of Berwick Portrait Lord Lloyd of Berwick
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When the Government receive, as they do from time to time, independent legal advice, is there any reason why that advice should not be made available under the Freedom of Information Act? Should there be an absolute rule against independent legal advice being made available?

Lord McNally Portrait Lord McNally
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Whenever the noble and learned Lord rises to his feet, a certain tingle goes down my spine—doubly so when he is asking about a matter legal. I am not sighted on that entirely and I would feel far safer if I were to take advice and write to him.