A meeting organised by the Campaign for Freedom of Information

7 pm Monday 20 November 2000

Westminster Hall, House of Commons, London SW1

Speakers

David Body
Solicitor of the families at the BSE Inquiry

Louise Christian
Solicitor of the families at the Southall and Paddington Inquiries

Also speaking

Mark Fisher MP
Sponsor of the 1993 Right to Know Bill

Simon Hughes MP
Liberal Democrat Commons Home Affairs Spokesman

Helen Jackson MP
Labour Co-chair, Campaign for Freedom of Information

Richard Shepherd MP
Conservative Co-chair, Campaign for Freedom of Information

Maurice Frankel
Director, Campaign for Freedom of Information

The controversial Freedom of Information Bill reaches the end of its passage through the House of Lords on November 22nd and returns for final Commons approval on November 27th. After only minimal Lords amendment, there are serious questions about the proposed right to know. The public's rights to see health and safety information are weak - and ministers will have the power to veto the Information Commissioner's rulings. Are we entering a new era of openness - or will it be secrecy as normal under Britain's Freedom of Information Act?