Freedom of Information Act 2000

Part of Oral Answers to Questions — Foreign and Commonwealth Office – in the House of Commons at 3:35 pm on 24 February 2009.

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Photo of Alan Beith Alan Beith Chair, Justice Committee, Chair, Justice Committee 3:35, 24 February 2009

Given the strength of the tribunal's argument that this is a unique case setting no precedents, is it not particularly unconvincing for the right hon. Gentleman to argue that if the minutes were released, it would allow Ministers to demonstrate their attachment to any given policy in general, thereby absolving themselves from responsibility for decisions that they have agreed to stand by? Has the Justice Secretary not noticed that he is living in a world, and indeed a Government, where Ministers find all sorts of other ways of doing that, including on this issue?