Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill

Lord Wills Excerpts

Monday 18th March 2013 Lords Chamber

[Viscount Younger of Leckie]

No. The noble Lord deserves a full answer to that question. I think that the best thing would be for me to come back to him in writing.

[Lord Wills]

Before the Minister leaves this point, can he explain a little more about the Government’s thinking on why freedom of information will not be extended to the proceedings of this new body? It seems rather curious, when transparency is such a cardinal virtue, that it should be denied in the case of this body.

[Viscount Younger of Leckie]

I think it would be best to address that question in the next group of amendments. As I mentioned, we have tabled some amendments there and I will address the point then.

I believe that the noble Baroness, Lady Deech, raised the issue of dissolution. I think it is best if I quote from the draft charter:

“This Charter, and the Recognition Panel created by it, shall not be dissolved unless information about the proposed dissolution has been presented to Parliament, and that proposal has been approved by a resolution of each House. For this purpose ‘approved’ means that at least two-thirds of the members of the House in question who vote on the motion do so in support of it”.

That is how I read it.