MPs jump to defence of Fol legislation

摘要

Freedom of Information (FoI) legislation has proved successful and helped improve the UK's democratic system -making public bodies more open and accountable - MPs have reported. A Commons' justice select committee report into how access laws have worked since the Fol Act came into effect in 2000 did, however, raise some concerns as over its operation. Giving evidence to the inquiry, some former ministers and senior civil servants told MPs that the Fol Act was having a 'chilling effect1 on policy discussion at the heart of government. Top officials expressed fears the openness regime threatened their ability to give ministers frank advice and discuss policy impacts honestly and comprehensively.