Freedom of Information : This page has been downloaded from the Campaign for Freedom of Information "http://www.cfoi.org.uk/newin98.html"

Additions to the site in 1998

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-> A draft Freedom of Information Bill - repeatedly delayed
  The government has been promising to publish a draft FoI Bill for consultation since June 1997. These quotes show how the timetable has repeatedly slipped. Added 23 December 1998
   
-> A Freedom of Information Bill
  A Freedom of Information Bill drafted by the Campaign was introduced into Parliament, by Andrew Mackinlay MP with cross-party support, as a 10-minute rule Bill on 18 November 1998. Added 23 December 1998
   
-> E-mail news of updates to this site
  You can now receive notification by E-mail of new additions to this site. Added 23 December 1998
   
-> The Prime Minister replies to the Campaign
  The Prime Minister's reply to the November 1998 letter from the Campaign and forty-six other organisations expressing our concern at the delay in bringing forward FOI legislation. Added 23 December 1998
   
-> Ombudsman report reveals "indelibly ingrained secrecy" of public authorities
  Press release commenting on the latest case reports by the Ombudsman on complaints made to him under the open government code of practice. Added 10 December 1998
   
-> Delay in introducing FOI legislation
  This November 1998 letter to the Prime Minister from the Campaign and forty-six other organisations expresses our concern at the delay in bringing forward FOI legislation. It asks the Prime Minister to give an explicit commitment that a bill will be introduced in the 1999/2000 parliamentary session. Added 25 November 1998
   
-> Backbench Freedom of Information Bill increases pressure for government to legislate
  Press release on the introduction by Andrew Mackinlay MP of a new Freedom of Information Bill in the House of Commons. The Bill is introduced under the 10 Minute Rule procedure which allows opportunity for debate but no real prospect of becoming law. Added 18 November 1998
   
-> Freedom of Information and Universities
  Paper given in June 1998 on the implications of freedom of information legislation for universities given at a conference organised by the Society for Research into Higher Education. Added 26 August 1998
   
-> Publications list updated
  Various additions to the list. Added 25 August 1998
   
arrow Secrets and lies
  This article, which appeared in the Guardian on 18 August 1998, discusses the implications of the government's provisional decision to drop freedom of information from next year's legislative programme, and argues that this will seriously damage its credibility - particularly if it also proceeds with the Official Secrets Act prosecution of the ex-MI5 man David Shayler. Added 19 August 1998
   
arrow No more secrets, please
  This article, which appeared in the Independent on Sunday on 26 July 1998, outlines the Campaign's fears that the government will not introduce a freedom of information bill in the next Parliamentary session and that the white paper proposals will be watered down. Added 14 August 1998
   
arrow "Gagging clause" prevents naming of companies misusing personal data
  Press release on a clause in the Data Protection Bill which will protect companies that misuse personal data from public criticism by preventing the Data Protection Registrar from naming them. Added 14 August 1998
   
arrow Confidentiality Clause in the new Data Protection Bill
  This June 1998 letter to the Home Office outlines the Campaign's concerns that the confidentiality clause in the Data Protection Bill will lead to considerable unnecessary secrecy about the operation of the new legislation. Added 13 August 1998
   
arrow Home Office Response
  Reply to the Campaign's letter concerning secrecy and the operation of the new data protection legislation. Added 13 August 1998
   
arrow Amendments to the Data Protection Bill
  A series of amendments to the Data Protection Bill were drafted by the Campaign for Freedom of Information and tabled by Richard Shepherd MP at the bill's report stage in the House of Commons on 2 July 1998. The amendments were all debated, but none of them was passed. This briefing explains their purpose. Added 13 August 1998
   
-> Briefing for House of Commons Debate on Freedom of Information
  This briefing was produced for MPs and the media for a debate on Freedom of Information held in the House of Commons on 6 July 1998. The Campaign warmly welcomes the white paper, though with a number of concerns about recent developments. Added 9 August 1998
   
-> Lord Chancellor's Speech to Freedom of Information Awards
  Speech of the Lord Chancellor, Lord Irvine of Lairg, at the presentation of the Campaign for Freedom of Information 1997 Awards, 28 April 1998. Added 9 August 1998
   
-> An electronic window on to government
  This essay examines the potential of the Internet for improving public access to official information. Added 9 August 1998
   
-> Submission to the European Court of Human Rights
  This July 1997 submission, produced jointly by the Campaign and Liberty, was made to the European Court of Human Rights in support of a case brought against by nuclear test veterans. Added 7 May 1998
   
-> Publications list updated
  Various additions to the list. Added 7 May 1998
   
-> 1997 Freedom of Information Awards
  Press release on the winners of its 1997 Freedom of Information Awards, presented by the Lord Chancellor, the Rt Hon The Lord Irvine of Lairg. Added 28 April 1998
   
-> Detailed response to the Government's FoI Proposals
  The Campaign's response, published in March 1998, to the government's white paper on FoI. This detailed paper also incorporates the Campaign's evidence to the House of Commons Public Administration Committee in January 1998. Added 3 April 1998
   
-> Public Interest Disclosure Bill 1997 - as amended in committee
  The text of the Public Interest Disclosure Bill 1997, which was amended during its committee stage in the House of Commons on 11 March 1998. Added 26 March 1998
   
-> Public Interest Disclosure Bill 1997 - text and consultation paper
  The text of the Public Interest Disclosure Bill 1977, which received its second reading on 12 December 1997. Also a consultation paper on the Bill issued by Public Concern at Work, a summary of the responses and a press release. Added 27 February 1998
   
-> Article on the white paper
  A short article by the Campaign, which appeared in the Guardian on 16 December 1997, commenting on the white paper. Added 26 January 1998
   
-> Links to the wide blue yonder...
  Links to some related sites added. Added 23 January 1998
   
-> Freedom of Information is coming...!
  Information and booking form for the Campaign's major one day conference on the FOI white paper, to be held on 2 February. Added 15 January 1998
   
-> What was new in 1997
   
-> Latest additions to the Campaign's website
   

 

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