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Data Protection and Freedom of Information

I believe that the Freedom of Information Act 2000 was one of the great glories of this Labour Government. When people come to look over the history of new Labour, they will hold that the pledge given on freedom of information, and the Act that was written and came into force, was one of the great accomplishments of the bright, early days of new Labour. The hon. Member for North Southwark and Bermondsey (Simon Hughes) cited the very great importance of the Information Commissioner, and the Act itself is a double-edged sword. It is an uncomfortable thing for Governments from time to time, as the hon. Gentleman said, and it has been of great use to newspapers, as people feared when the Act was passed, and to the general public, in understanding and exposing some of the curiosities of public life. However, has the commissioner done his job as successfully as he might? I ask that because I am meeting the stricture that you insisted on, Madam Deputy Speaker—we must be clear that this debate is about the salary of an individual. Although the salary of £120,000 does not look great—