Member

The amendment aims to create a novel route of challenge through the courts for failure of public authorities to proactively disclose information. It follows that this would also create a new route for water companies to appeal. Apart from being administratively challenging and at odds with the current legislative framework that flows from requests for information, we are concerned this could actually slow down implementation of the Information Commissioner’s decisions. Although I completely understand the noble Baroness’s intention, we do not think this amendment is needed and it may have unintended consequences. We hope the noble Baroness will not press it.