The end of the beginning? The Freedom of Information Bill 1999

With the publication of its plans for a Bill on Freedom of Information, the new Labour government has been accused of abandoning its promise of greate r openness irt the way government is conducted in this country and its prop osals are seen as a departure from the highly applauded contents of the Whi te Paper published in December 1997. The draft Bill has been pilloried by f riend and foe alike. It is seen as a litmus test of Blair's government and where it really stands on the citizen/state relationship and how the future balance will lie between the executive and Parliament. The authors examine the events surrounding the publication of the Bill and its scrutiny by the pre-legislative select committees in the Commons and Lords. The Home Secre tary has hinted at possible concessions in the light of fierce criticism. I s this a Bill worth saving and how can it be improved to capture a more app ropriate balance between confidentiality, secrecy, and openness in the cond uct of modern governance?