Results 1-5 of 5 for "freedom of information" speaker:Ronnie Campbell

Freedom of Information Draft Bill (24 May 1999)

Mr Ronnie Campbell: I welcome the draft Bill. I remember that, many years ago, in the Public Administration Committee, when the Tories, to a man, wanted a code of practice on freedom of information, Labour Members, to a man, wanted a statutory right. The statutory right is the biggest improvement that the Government have made. The Committee will sit shortly, take evidence and make recommendations. Can I take it...

Opposition Day: Government Information (13 Jan 1999)

Mr Ronnie Campbell: I served on the Select Committee that considered freedom of information before the proposals were produced. We travelled around the world, to Canada and Sweden, which have had freedom of information for many years. Everywhere we went, the proposals were given accolades as being far reaching and advanced. Does my right hon. Friend believe that the Bill will come out in the form it would have...

Estimates Day: Government Information (10 Dec 1996)

Mr Ronnie Campbell: .... He has been one of the best ombudsmen and has highlighted the office more than anybody else. I have seen him on television news programmes on several occasions, pushing the argument for greater freedom of information. Wherever he goes, I hope that he continues to do that. The code came into being about two years ago. The Select Committee went to Australia, where we took a lot of...

Estimates Day: Government Information (10 Dec 1996)

Mr Ronnie Campbell: ...about their hospital records. Although the code was a good idea, the public have no idea that it exists. I hope that the next Labour Government review the matter and introduce legislation on the freedom of information. I hope that my right hon. Friend the Member for Bishop Auckland will confirm that.

Estimates Day: Government Information (10 Dec 1996)

Mr Ronnie Campbell: I thank the hon. Gentleman for those kind words. Another point emerged from evidence that we took about the Australian experience. Let us say that there was a personal file on Mr. A. The Freedom of Information Act meant that any document could be obtained, so if a person wanted to make a comment about Mr. A. that they did not want to be read, they would write it on a sticky yellow post-it...