Prime Minister's question asked in the House of Commons, by Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton (Conservative). It was answered on Wednesday, 20 February 2008 on behalf of the Prime Minister.

Engagements

Question: The Prime Minister's answer is feeble. All other publicly owned companies, such as the Post Office, Scottish Water, the Tote and National Savings and Investments, are subject to the freedom of information legislation. Let me remind the Prime Minister, the supreme leader, of what he said about freedom of information in his lecture about liberty. He said:"““Freedom of information is the right course because government belongs to the people, not the politicians””," but that it"““can be inconvenient, at times frustrating and indeed embarrassing for governments””." Is not that why he is covering things up?

Answer: Not at all, and perhaps the right hon. Gentleman will publish the reports from the Midlands Industrial Council, which is a Conservative organisation. Everyone in the country will know that, in a competitive mortgage market, it would be ridiculous to ask Northern Rock to publish every detail of its business plans. Commercial confidentiality has to be respected in the running of the company, and he should be the first to support it.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 472 c344
Session: 2007-08
Oral question type: Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Commons chamber
Subjects: Disclosure of information Freedom of information Nationalisation Northern Rock
Link: View this Prime Minister's question on www.publications.parliament.uk