UK set for freedom of information bill

The UK minister for public services, David Clark, has announced plans to publish a draft bill on freedom of information (FOI). If the bill is enacted, Whitehall will be obliged to publish all government documents on the Internet.

The UK government first voiced this intention in its response to the Public Administration Select Committee Report on FOI. Clark said the bill was a key part of his programme to modernise British politics by introducing an "electronic government."

Clark originally outlined these plans in his Better Government White Paper, which included proposals for publishing information on the Internet such as tax returns for the self-employed and welfare benefits through kiosks.

However, Clark highlighted three points of the bill that had to be addressed in a more in-depth manner. These recommendations included: proposals for integrating FOI with privacy requirements under the Data Protection Act, a commitment to publish the results of the government review of restrictions on disclosure in existing law, and extension of the powers of an Information Commissioner to include the ability to test claims for exclusion from the FOI Act.

Publication of the draft in September would ensure its place in the Queen's Speech in November, making legislation more likely. However, the bill has met opposition from some MPs, including Home Secretary Jack Straw, who claimed the release of information on police activity would jeopardise their operations.