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Proceeding contribution from Jack Straw (Labour) in the House of Commons on Tuesday, 2 March 2010. It occurred during Debate on bill and Committee of the Whole House (HC) on Constitutional Reform and Governance Bill.

Constitutional Reform and Governance Bill

I can answer that point directly. The review team said that""neither the case for 15 years nor the case for 20 years is beyond argument. It must be a matter of judgement how to strike the balance"." I do not say that there is direct evidence because we are making judgments about the future, but our judgment was that the balance would be best struck at 20 years. Hon. Members should bear in mind that, with the Freedom of Information Act 2000, most records are not closed even within the current envelope of 30 years—soon to be 20 years, I hope. Records can be requested even after a couple of years. However, that decision was a matter of judgment.

Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
506 c839 
Session
2009-10
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
Subjects
Access Disclosure of information Contracts Demonstrations Costs Allowances Audio equipment Constitutional and administrative law Freedom of information Exemptions Northern Ireland Pay Pensions Parliament Square Protest Members Palace of Westminster Noise Public records Royal family Cabinet Office Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority 30 Year Rule Review
Legislation
Constitutional Reform and Governance Bill 2008-09 to 2009-10
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk