Debate on bill on Friday, 24 March 2017, in the House of Commons, led by Wendy Morton. The answering member was Andrew Percy.

Local Audit (Public Access to Documents) Bill

Motion that the House sit in private. Negatived on question. Report stage. Third reading. Agreed to on question, and Bill passed.

Secondary information

Type: Parliamentary proceeding
Reference: 623 cc1041-1087
Session: 2016-17
Department: Department for Communities and Local Government
Legislative stage: Third reading; Report stage
Procedure: Motions to sit in private; Private members' bills proceedings
Chamber / Committee: House of Commons chamber
Related items: Local Audit (Public Access to Documents) Bill 2016-17
Monday, 4 July 2016
Bills
House of Commons
Proceeding contributions: Christopher Chope | 623 c1041 (Link to this contribution)
I beg to move amendment 2, page 1, line 5, leave out from “after” to the end of the subsection an...; John Bercow | 623 cc1041-2 (Link to this contribution)
With this it will be convenient to discuss the following:
Amendment 3, page 1, line 5, leav...; Christopher Chope | 623 cc1042-3 (Link to this contribution)
In moving amendment 2, we are mindful that this is a week in which there has been an attack on ou...; David Nuttall | 623 c1043 (Link to this contribution)
My hon. Friend touches on the Second Reading debate, which is something that I hope to address in...; Christopher Chope | 623 c1043 (Link to this contribution)
My hon. Friend is on to a good point. On Second Reading, quite a lot of references were made to t...; Wendy Morton | 623 c1043 (Link to this contribution)
I just wish to make it clear that we had a debate in Committee. No Member was precluded from tabl...; Christopher Chope | 623 cc1043-4 (Link to this contribution)
I am told by my hon. Friend the Member for Bury North from a sedentary position that the Committe...; Edward Leigh | 623 c1044 (Link to this contribution)
I chair the Public Accounts Commission, and we have been looking at the accountability of local g...; Christopher Chope | 623 cc1044-6 (Link to this contribution)
My hon. Friend speaks with great knowledge and experience on this matter. The amendment is, in a ...; John Bercow | 623 c1045 (Link to this contribution)
Order. The reference by the hon. Gentleman to the “Rotten Boroughs” column is, of itself, orderly...; Christopher Chope | 623 c1045 (Link to this contribution)
I absolutely take that point, Mr Speaker.; Edward Leigh | 623 c1047 (Link to this contribution)
I want to speak directly to my hon. Friend’s amendment in terms of understanding what other local...; Christopher Chope | 623 c1047 (Link to this contribution)
My hon. Friend makes a good point, and it is in essence what I have been saying about the positio...; Philip Davies | 623 c1047 (Link to this contribution)
As my hon. Friend knows, many local papers are stretched financially and therefore deterred from ...; Christopher Chope | 623 cc1047-8 (Link to this contribution)
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. We in this place are trying to do the job of holding councils...; David Nuttall | 623 c1048 (Link to this contribution)
The whole Bill arises from the problem of defining terms. Has my hon. Friend given any thought to...; Christopher Chope | 623 cc1048-9 (Link to this contribution)
My hon. Friend has tried, probably very successfully, to torpedo my amendment. I accept the impli...; Edward Leigh | 623 c1049 (Link to this contribution)
Why? We are moving into a completely different digital age in which people can set up blogs and F...; Christopher Chope | 623 cc1049-1050 (Link to this contribution)
That is the first time that anyone has suggested I am living in the past. To take my hon. Friend’...; John Bercow | 623 c1050 (Link to this contribution)
Order. Ordinarily, I feel that I can follow and, to an extent, anticipate the hon. Gentleman, suc...; Christopher Chope | 623 c1050 (Link to this contribution)
Mr Speaker, I was not actually going to go into that level of detail.; Philip Davies | 623 c1050 (Link to this contribution)
Why not?; Christopher Chope | 623 c1050 (Link to this contribution)
Because I am seeking to make quite a lot of points. I am sure that, however many members the soci...; Philip Davies | 623 c1050 (Link to this contribution)
My hon. Friend is beginning to lose me. It seems to me that he made a good case earlier for his a...; Christopher Chope | 623 c1050 (Link to this contribution)
Yes, I absolutely support my amendment 2. I tabled these alternative amendments 5 to 7 because in...; Philip Davies | 623 c1050 (Link to this contribution)
That’s very defeatist.; Christopher Chope | 623 c1050 (Link to this contribution)
Yes, it is indeed defeatist, and it is uncharacteristic of me to be defeatist about such things. ...; Philip Davies | 623 c1050 (Link to this contribution)
I hope that my hon. Friend will not be defeated on amendment 2—I encourage him to strive for it a...; Christopher Chope | 623 c1051 (Link to this contribution)
I understand my hon. Friend’s point, but why should we, to maximise the number of people who have...; David Nuttall | 623 c1051 (Link to this contribution)
Has my hon. Friend noted the title of clause 1: “Inspection of accounting records by journalists ...; Christopher Chope | 623 c1051 (Link to this contribution)
That is probably why I have not sought to address my hon. Friend’s amendment. I am sorry that we ...; Alison Thewliss | 623 c1051 (Link to this contribution)
The hon. Gentleman makes an interesting point about professional qualifications and the accredita...; Christopher Chope | 623 c1051 (Link to this contribution)
I would indeed—absolutely. Editors are included in the wider definition of “journalist”. The hon....; David Nuttall | 623 c1051 (Link to this contribution)
Before my hon. Friend moves on, amendments 5, 6 and 7 have been tabled as alternatives—we cannot ...; Christopher Chope | 623 cc1051-2 (Link to this contribution)
Of those three, I prefer amendment 5 on accreditation, because “accredited journalist” is a well-...; Edward Leigh | 623 c1052 (Link to this contribution)
My hon. Friend speaks with authority and knowledge, so this intervention is a genuine request for...; Christopher Chope | 623 c1052 (Link to this contribution)
I do not hold myself up as an expert on the Freedom of Information Act, but local authorities are...; Maggie Throup | 623 c1052 (Link to this contribution)
I am not an expert, but I would think that a freedom of information request is more costly to a c...; Christopher Chope | 623 cc1053-4 (Link to this contribution)
My hon. Friend may make a fair point. One problem is that some councils are really open and trans...; Edward Leigh | 623 c1054 (Link to this contribution)
My hon. Friend is on to a very good point. We are dealing with a powerful issue, and there is not...; Christopher Chope | 623 cc1054-5 (Link to this contribution)
I hope that the Minister will be able to respond to what my hon. Friend has said. I know that hea...; David Nuttall | 623 cc1055-1060 (Link to this contribution)
May I start by paying tribute not only to the promoter of the Bill, my hon. Friend the Member for...; Christopher Chope | 623 c1057 (Link to this contribution)
rose—; Philip Davies | 623 c1057 (Link to this contribution)
rose—; David Nuttall | 623 c1057 (Link to this contribution)
Ah, a dilemma. I will give way first to my hon. Friend the Member for Christchurch.; Christopher Chope | 623 c1057 (Link to this contribution)
My hon. Friend is making a fascinating contribution. Although “citizen journalist” is referred to...; David Nuttall | 623 c1057 (Link to this contribution)
There may be some reason for why there is no definition of “citizen journalist” in the Bill, but ...; Philip Davies | 623 c1057 (Link to this contribution)
Where do social media fit into my hon. Friend’s wide definition of the term “journalist,” particu...; David Nuttall | 623 c1057 (Link to this contribution)
I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his intervention because he touches on what I will cover in m...; Philip Davies | 623 c1061 (Link to this contribution)
Just to clarify, as I am still not entirely clear, does that mean that publication on social medi...; David Nuttall | 623 c1061 (Link to this contribution)
In short, yes—I am absolutely clear about that—because my definition refers to publication on a w...; Philip Davies | 623 c1061 (Link to this contribution)
I am not unsympathetic to my hon. Friend’s point. The only issue I would raise, and it may be an ...; David Nuttall | 623 c1061 (Link to this contribution)
My hon. Friend raises a good point that I had not previously considered. On the one hand, I agree...; Greg Knight | 623 c1061 (Link to this contribution)
Does my hon. Friend accept that even in newspapers some items are anonymous? For many years there...; David Nuttall | 623 cc1061-3 (Link to this contribution)
I am grateful to my right hon. Friend for his comment, which supports my answer to my hon. Friend...; Greg Knight | 623 c1063 (Link to this contribution)
I am a little concerned about my hon. Friend’s amendment, because I think it is restrictive. In t...; David Nuttall | 623 c1063 (Link to this contribution)
I am grateful to my right hon. Friend for that intervention, and I fear my definition might exclu...; Christopher Chope | 623 c1063 (Link to this contribution)
My hon. Friend says that there is no ambiguity, but clause 1’s title refers to “citizen journalis...; David Nuttall | 623 cc1063-4 (Link to this contribution)
To be fair, my amendment does not refer to “citizen journalists”—only the clause title does, alth...; Greg Knight | 623 c1064 (Link to this contribution)
The more I reflect on my hon. Friend’s amendment, the more unsatisfactory I think it is. Why is h...; David Nuttall | 623 c1064 (Link to this contribution)
I do not intend to exclude anybody. Nowadays, all the broadcasters have websites. They would not ...; Philip Davies | 623 c1064 (Link to this contribution)
To reinforce my hon. Friend’s point, all TV channels can be accessed via the internet these days,...; David Nuttall | 623 cc1064-5 (Link to this contribution)
I am grateful to my hon. Friend for that intervention, because it is important to note that the a...; Greg Knight | 623 c1065 (Link to this contribution)
My hon. Friend is galloping on at such a speed that he rather skipped over amendment 3. Does he s...; David Nuttall | 623 cc1065-6 (Link to this contribution)
I am grateful to my right hon. Friend for that intervention. He might have missed my intervention...; Christopher Chope | 623 c1066 (Link to this contribution)
To reinforce that point on clinical commissioning groups, CCGs have a veto over the use of proced...; David Nuttall | 623 c1066 (Link to this contribution)
I entirely agree with my hon. Friend. There would be considerable interest from local residents i...; Philip Davies | 623 cc1066-8 (Link to this contribution)
I am grateful to my hon. Friends the Members for Christchurch (Mr Chope) and for Bury North (Mr N...; Christopher Chope | 623 cc1068-9 (Link to this contribution)
My hon. Friend mentioned the shortage of local reporters and the pressures on local newspapers. D...; Philip Davies | 623 cc1069-1072 (Link to this contribution)
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. I do not want to get too side-tracked, Madam Deputy Speaker, ...; Teresa Pearce | 623 cc1070-3 (Link to this contribution)
I thank the hon. Member for Aldridge-Brownhills (Wendy Morton) for introducing the Bill. As someo...; Andrew Percy | 623 c1073 (Link to this contribution)
I welcome the opportunity to speak on behalf of the Government, in place, I am sad to say, of the...; Greg Knight | 623 c1073 (Link to this contribution)
rose—; Andrew Percy | 623 c1073 (Link to this contribution)
I will, of course, give way to my fellow east Yorkshire colleague.; Greg Knight | 623 c1073 (Link to this contribution)
Has my hon. Friend any information to relate to the House about why not a single Liberal Democrat...; Andrew Percy | 623 c1073 (Link to this contribution)
Sadly not, other than that the public seemed to diminish Liberal Democrat numbers somewhat at the...; David Nuttall | 623 c1073 (Link to this contribution)
I have no doubt that a similar argument would have been advanced when the original Audit Commissi...; Andrew Percy | 623 c1074 (Link to this contribution)
I do not agree. Given its reference to the internet and websites, my hon. Friend’s amendment coul...; Christopher Chope | 623 c1074 (Link to this contribution)
My hon. Friend was pretty succinct in rejecting amendment 2. Does he have any evidence of how muc...; Andrew Percy | 623 cc1074-5 (Link to this contribution)
I have listened with interest to my hon. Friend’s comments about the chief executive of Bournemou...; Wendy Morton | 623 cc1075-7 (Link to this contribution)
I am very pleased to be able to speak again on my private Member’s Bill. As my hon. Friends have ...; David Nuttall | 623 c1076 (Link to this contribution)
I should have covered this point in my speech, and I apologise for not having done so. I do not t...; Wendy Morton | 623 cc1076-8 (Link to this contribution)
That is a fair point, but what I am driving at is the difference between a small “invite only” Fa...; David Nuttall | 623 c1078 (Link to this contribution)
My hon. Friend refers to a “sufficiently public forum.” How many members of the public would be r...; Wendy Morton | 623 c1078 (Link to this contribution)
What I am trying to set out here is the difference between information that goes on to a private ...; Philip Davies | 623 c1078 (Link to this contribution)
I am concerned that we might end up getting ourselves into a muddle. Many journalistic publicatio...; Wendy Morton | 623 cc1078-9 (Link to this contribution)
There are many sites that do not require a subscription, and I am endeavouring to explain the dif...; Christopher Chope | 623 c1080 (Link to this contribution)
May I begin by thanking the promoter of the Bill, my hon. Friend the Member for Aldridge-Brownhil...; Philip Davies | 623 c1080 (Link to this contribution)
Does my hon. Friend agree that this scrutiny of local authorities would probably lead to their sa...; Christopher Chope | 623 cc1080-1 (Link to this contribution)
I absolutely agree. As with all such things, the issue is one of proportionality. There is a bala...; Wendy Morton | 623 c1081 (Link to this contribution)
I beg to move, That the Bill be now read the Third time.
Despite having had some previous s...; Michael Tomlinson | 623 c1082 (Link to this contribution)
I congratulate my hon. Friend on piloting this Bill through its many stages in the House of Commo...; Wendy Morton | 623 c1082 (Link to this contribution)
I am grateful to my hon. Friend, who also contributed on Second Reading, for his kind words. I am...; Christopher Chope | 623 c1082 (Link to this contribution)
I, too, congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Aldridge-Brownhills (Wendy Morton) on having t...; Greg Knight | 623 c1082 (Link to this contribution)
Will my hon. Friend tell the House whether he has any intention of becoming the editor of this pu...; Christopher Chope | 623 c1082 (Link to this contribution)
I am afraid that is commercially confidential. [Interruption.] My hon. Friend the Member for Mid ...; David Nuttall | 623 c1082 (Link to this contribution)
I agree with my hon. Friend that the new arrival on the newspaper scene in his constituency is go...; Christopher Chope | 623 c1083 (Link to this contribution)
I suspect it is probably going to rely on citizen journalists to send it letters and report to re...; David Nuttall | 623 cc1083-5 (Link to this contribution)
I, too, welcome the Bill in the spirit in which it has been introduced, despite the fact that my ...; Teresa Pearce | 623 cc1085-6 (Link to this contribution)
I do not intend to make more than a few remarks on Third Reading, as this Bill has the support of...; Lindsay Hoyle | 623 c1086 (Link to this contribution)
I call the Minister.
1.9 pm; Andrew Percy | 623 c1086 (Link to this contribution)
It is a pleasure, Madam Deputy Speaker—[Interruption.] Mr Deputy Speaker, you have changed.
Subjects: Disclosure of information Codes of practice Accountability Audit Health services Internet Journalism Local government Newspaper press Social media
Legislation: Local Audit (Public Access to Documents) Bill 2016-17
Link: View this Parliamentary proceeding on hansard.parliament.uk

Local Audit (Public Access to Documents) Bill

Secondary information

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