UK moves a step closer to freedom of information law

The UK moved a step closer to publishing government information on the Internet on Monday, when MPs debated how to move forward legislation on freedom of information.

The move surprised experts as many predicted rebel Labour MPs would delay or even kill off the Bill. Instead, ministers proposed that it be included in the Queen's November speech, thereby securing a commitment for it to become legislation.

Speaking in the debate, David Clark, minister for public service, said: "Freedom of Information is a key part of the programme to modernise British politics. We have to be more open. That is why we published the background papers leading to the White Paper, and why we have published much more information on the Internet."

A draft of the Bill is expected to be published in September. However, it will face some stiff opposition. Jack Straw recently spoke out against it, claiming police operations should be excluded from public scrutiny.

Rhodri Morgan, chairman of the public select committee campaigning for the Bill, recognised that in order for it to be passed, there will have to be a "change of culture in Whitehall", so "civil servants will not seek to find every reason either to delay or deny information to the public".

The exact form of the Bill will not be revealed until the draft is made public, but Maurice Frankel, chairman for the Campaign for the Freedom of Information, remains optimistic. "The debate went well and hopefully it will be mentioned in the Queen's speech. But until we see the draft Bill we won't know which way the Government will go," he said.