Brake interrupted
Another Bill to amend the Freedom of Information Act was presented to the Commons today - but with a rather different approach.
The Freedom of Information (Amendment) (No 2) Bill would by, for example, tightening up the time limits on public authorities when they respond to FOI requests.
It was introduced by the LibDem MP Tom Brake and, lacking government support, has no chance of getting anywhere. The most noticeable aspect of the brief proceedings on the Bill today was the reaction of Speaker Michael Martin to Brake reciting criticism of the Maclean Bill. The Speaker was sufficiently riled that he interrrupted Brake twice to tell him to tone it down and move on.
As for the Maclean Bill, it looks unlikely to get through the Lords. We should know more tomorrow evening. Unless a peer agrees to sponsor it and take it on to its second reading debate on a specified date by close of business in the Lords tomorrow, then it will fall foul of Parliament's procedural rules.
Even if it does get sponsored, the pressure of government business in the Lords during the summer months and the 'spillover period' after the recess will still make it difficult for it to make much more progress in this session.
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Very true Martin, it's not got a hope in hell's chance. That won't be a problem though as long as the Maclean Bill doesn't get through the Lords. Let's hopenot.