Results 1-13 of 13 for "freedom of information" speaker:Douglas Alexander

Written Answers — International Development: Departmental Consultants (29 Jan 2008)

Douglas Alexander: .... These reports are normally available to the public on request, but may be subject to legitimate restrictions to take account of the requirements of the Data Protection Act, exemptions under the Freedom of Information Act and contractual terms and conditions in relation to intellectual property rights.

Written Answers — International Development: Freedom of Information (2 Jul 2007)

Douglas Alexander: Since 1 January 2005, DFID has received 589 Freedom of Information (FOI) requests covering a very broad range of subjects. Each case is logged and given a reference number. DFID is committed to openness and transparency in accordance with the spirit of the FOI Act, and the presumption is always in favour of disclosure unless exemptions are found to apply. For example, in 2006, 80 per cent....

Written Ministerial Statements — Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs: Nicaragua (British Embassy) (16 Jan 2006)

Douglas Alexander: Copies of the reply to a freedom of information request relating to the decision to close the British Embassy in Nicaragua in 2003 have been placed in the Library of the House.

Written Answers — Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs: St. Helena (23 Nov 2005)

Douglas Alexander: ...to local circumstances. There is provision in the Ordinance for specific English laws to be declared to be inappropriate to local circumstances. That provision was used to declare that the Freedom of Information Act 2000 was inappropriate to local circumstances because the Governor in Council considered the provisions in that Act to be incapable of effective application in the context of...

Written Answers — Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs: St. Helena (23 Nov 2005)

Douglas Alexander: The Freedom of Information Act 2000 does not apply in St. Helena. The Government are therefore unable to require information, in respect of the proposed airport on the island, which is held by the Government of St. Helena to be eligible for release under the Act. Considerable material related to the proposed airport is, however, already in the public domain in the UK and on St. Helena.

Written Ministerial Statements — Cabinet Office: Government Communications Review (19 Jan 2004)

Mr Douglas Alexander: ...public authorities, including Parliament, and the Parliamentary Lobby, on how best to pursue these proposals. The Government also note the review's recommendations on the implementation of the Freedom of Information Act. A great deal of work is going on to ensure that departments are fully prepared for the legislation which comes into force on 1 January 2005 and the Government are fully...

Ministerial Accountability and Parliamentary Questions (8 Jan 2004)

Mr Douglas Alexander: ...be released except where disclosure would not be in the public interest, as specified in Part II of this Code." Of course, from 2005, Ministers will be subject to the requirements laid down in the Freedom of Information Act 2000, which will replace the non-statutory code of practice and provide the public with a statutory right to receive information. I shall return to the points made by...

Ministerial Accountability and Parliamentary Questions (8 Jan 2004)

Mr Douglas Alexander: ...that he made about some of the recent coverage of the ombudsman's report. Secondly, I will endeavour to address the point, which was also made by the hon. Member for North-East Hertfordshire, about freedom of information. The release of factual information in response to a code request relating to background notes is accepted, but the Government reserve the right to withhold such...

Ministerial Accountability and Parliamentary Questions (8 Jan 2004)

Mr Douglas Alexander: ...guidance issued, and I will bear in mind what he says in relation to that specific point. I offer some reassurance to the House about the more general point that the hon. Gentleman made about the Freedom of Information Act 2000. In essence, the questions from the hon. Members for North-East Hertfordshire and for North Cornwall suggested—implicitly, by quoting the noble Lord...

Ministerial Accountability and Parliamentary Questions (8 Jan 2004)

Mr Douglas Alexander: The fundamental accountability of Ministers to Parliament is a clear constitutional issue. It is inviolable and is in no way undermined by the implementation of the Freedom of Information Act, so we should not regard it as disadvantaging Members. The absolute requirement of holding Ministers to account to MPs of all parties remains in 2003, 2004 and 2005. Any future consideration that must be...

Ministerial Accountability and Parliamentary Questions (8 Jan 2004)

Mr Douglas Alexander: ...that he suggests I have made, which I resist. Let us be clear about what I said this afternoon. I said that the inviolable right of Parliament to hold Ministers to account remains and endures. The Freedom of Information Act will be implemented in 2005. It does not distinguish between who seeks the information. However, there is a role for the House authorities, if they are concerned, to...

Ministerial Accountability and Parliamentary Questions (8 Jan 2004)

Mr Douglas Alexander: ...Member for Cannock Chase raises a characteristically constructive and important point. Indeed, a process of transformation and education is under way across Whitehall with a view to implementing the Freedom of Information Act. In the spirit of candour that results from discussing freedom of information, I can inform the House that only yesterday I held a meeting with a ministerial...

Written Answers — Cabinet Office: Civil Service (Training) (7 Apr 2003)

Mr Douglas Alexander: The training of civil servants in the provisions and application of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Data Protection Act 1998 is a matter for individual Departments. Further information about the activities by Departments to train civil servants in readiness for the Freedom of Information Act 2000 can be found in section 6 in the most recent annual report by the Lord Chancellor on...