Written question asked by Andrew Dismore (Labour) on Wednesday, 2 May 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 3 May 2001. It was answered by Keith Vaz (Labour) on Thursday, 3 May 2001 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement about the progress of the negotiations on public access to EU documents.

Answer: Mr. Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the progress of the negotiations on public access to EU documents. [160593] Mr. Vaz: After a year of difficult negotiations, the Commission, the Council and the European Parliament have all agreed in principle to a draft Regulation on public access to EU documents. The UK's objectives for these negotiations were to secure a Regulation which ensures: greater openness (ie more EU documents being made available to the public; proper protection for sensitive material; a quick, user-friendly mechanism; a consistent approach both by the institutions and in member states; compatibility with the UK Freedom of Information Act 2000. All these objectives have been met and we now have an arrangement which we believe will be a firm step forward in EU openness. The Government welcome this: we have long been an advocate of greater openness in the EU institutions. More accessible documents make for more accountable institutions.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 367 c735W; 160593
Session: 2000-01
Subjects: Access Disclosure of information Freedom of information Documents EU action EU institutions
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk