Martyn Jones

Labour Party | Clwyd South

Clwyd South To Enjoy A New Era Of Public Body Transparency – MP Applauds New Freedom Of Infomration Act

MARTYN JONES, MP for Clwyd South has welcomed the new Freedom of Information Act that came into force on January 1st.  The Act - as in other countries with Freedom of Information (FOI) laws - means that a great deal more information will be put into the public domain

There are of course certain areas of information that are not available to be disclosed – an example might be issues of national security – evidently a sensible exemption.

Unless exemptions have been properly applied in a particular case, examples where information is likely to be routinely disclosed will include:

• Research studies and the facts behind national and local decisions;
• Details of official meetings held with outside organisations;
• The health and safety records of organisations;
• Environmental impact reports;
• Details of proposed new transport links;
• Proposals for mergers or closures of hospitals;
• Admissions policies for schools;
• Performance figures for government departments and local authorities;
• Information on hospital complaints and the performance of clinicians;
• Contracts with suppliers;
• Expenses paid to public servants;

Mr. Jones points to the fact that his constituents will now have the opportunity to apply for information that previously they would have not been entitled to.  Commenting on the new act he is optimistic that it will encourage public institutions to take a proactive response and deliver such information to the wider public, before it is asked for:

“I anticipate that an increasing number of public bodies – will wherever possible - make official and environmental information routinely available to everyone; rather than sitting and waiting for a request. After all, they all want to enjoy the trust of the public and show they have absolutely nothing to hide. Information should only remain secret where there is a good reason and I welcome this new level of transparency”