OurKingdom: This letter has been sent to their colleagues by Labour MPs by Tony Lloyd, Angela Eagle, Kevan Jones, Ann Cryer, Joan Ruddock, Martin Salter and Don Touhig:
Further to David Maclean’s Bill on Friday you might be interested to see the leaflet published by the House of Commons in December 2005 which makes it absolutely clear that constituents’ correspondence can be revealed without their consent under the F.O.I. The entire document can also be viewed at http://dfaweb.parliament.uk/members/publications/foi_mems_correspondence.pdf (This is the House of Commons link, OurKingdom readers can click here: FoI, House of Commons document)
Contrary to claims made in the media and elsewhere the Data Protection Act does NOT provide the necessary protection for either constituents’ correspondence or MP’s correspondence on behalf of constituents. In fact the House of Commons guidance note couldn't be clearer - it says in the summary:
"The note concludes that Members’ correspondence (written and electronic) with public authorities falls within the scope of the Freedom of Information Act. The public authority may be required to release a copy of Members’ correspondence if it receives a relevant request even though constituents who write to their MPs may not be aware of the risk of material being disclosed."
With regard to other matters relating to the administration of the House, including budgets, MPs’ allowances, use of contractors, purchasing policy etc, we can see no reason why the House should not vote to authorise that this information be published on an annual basis. This would then become a decision of the House rather than simply at the discretion of the Speaker. We understand that an EDM along these lines will be tabled later today and the matter may be raised at Business Questions.
We hope this is helpful.
