LETTER: Freedom of Information (ammendment) bill disgrace (Hounslow Liberal Democrats)

LETTER: Freedom of Information (ammendment) bill disgrace

May 21, 2007 12:00 AM

Dear Editor, Liberal Democrat MP Norman Baker did a great service to the country earlier this year when his legal battle forced Parliament to publish the detailed travel expenses of MPs under the law on Freedom of Information. As a result, many MPs have had to justify why they expect the taxpayer to pay for so much travel by car and plane. If their travel expenses are public, the evidence is clear that MPs do not treat themselves to such generous travel arrangements.

In response, an unholy alliance of Conservative and Labour MPs are now trying to change the law to prevent publication of their expenses. We find the attitude of the Conservative and Labour MPs who support this bill sad and shocking. The attempt to ban the public from knowing the details of how taxpayers' money is being spent on their travel will rightfully anger the very people who have to foot the bill.

Here in Hounslow, Liberal Democrats feel very strongly that this information should be kept public. Given the Keens, our local MPs, have shown how spendthrift they are with their "Additional Expenses Allowance", Hounslow residents still want to know exactly how they are spending our hard earned taxes. This is why we backed the actions last Friday of Lib Dem MPs Norman Baker and Simon Hughes to try and stop the change in the law. MPs should not hide behind a wall of secrecy.

Unfortunately the attempt last Friday by Liberal Democrat MPs and others to defeat a Bill, which seeks to exempt MPs and Peers from the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, was stopped by an alliance of Conservative and Labour MPs. The Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill, a private member's bill, introduced by David Maclean, a Conservative MP, passed its third reading shortly before 2.30pm on Friday and will now pass to the House of Lords.

Let's hope it faces a tough time. Friday was a shameful day for the House of Commons - MPs should set an example of open government, not apply it to everybody but themselves. David Maclean's Bill and the way it has got through the Commons will clearly diminish respect for Parliament. But the battle will go on and hopefully the Lords will deliver us from this terrible mistake.

We hope the public will make their views very clear to the MPs who supported the Bill and to the next Prime Minister that this is absolutely the wrong direction for open, accountable government.

Cllr Andrew Dakers - Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson for Brentford & Isleworth

Cllr Munira Hassam - Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson for Feltham & Heston

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