Newspaper of the Campaign for Freedom of Information Number 3 50p

Top civil servants (past and present) contribute to drive for open Govt. The Campaign for Freedom of Information is pleased to announce that a number of distinguished former civilservants have accepted its invitation to serve on a panel of advisers. Conservative MP leads The panel, chaired by SirDouglas Wass, former J oint Head of the Civil Service (1981-1983) and former Permanent Campaign in Commons Secretary of the Treasury (1974-1983),will include: • Lord Croham, who, as SirDouglas Allen, was Head of the A Conservative Member of Bailey on a charge under Sec- Parliament, Jonathan Aitken, tion 2 of the Official Secrets Act Civil Serviceand Permanent Secretary of the Civil Service is to chair the Campaign's all- arising from his work as a Department (1974-1977)and Permanent Secretary of the party parliamentary advisory journalist and his coverage of Treasury (1968-1974). committee. the Nigeria crisis in the early • Sir Patrick Nairne, who was Permanent Secretary of the This committee will become Seventies. Together with the DHSS (1975-1981). active in the Autumn when the newspaper, The Sunday Tel- • Sir Kenneth Clucas, who was Permanent Secretary at the Campaign will be seeking to egraph, and its editor, Mr. Department of Prices and Consumer Protection (1974- promote its private member Aitken was acquitted and in his Lord Croham bills (see page 3). summing up Mr. Justice Caul- 1979) and Permanent Secretary of the Department of field made the suggestion that Trade (1979-1981). Mr. Aitken has himself had Section 2 should be "pensioned • Mr. Michael Power, who was an Under-Secretary in the the unique experience for a off" . Ministry of Defence (1973 to 1981). Member of Parliament of ap- The committee has 14 mem- pearing in the dock at the Old bers. • Mrs. Barbara Sloman, who was an Under-Secretary in the CivilServiceDepartment, subsequently the Cabinet Office (1975-1984). The Panel will be available to advise and comment on aspects of the Campaign's legislative proposals in the light of their own expenence. Itis hoped to add further to their number as the need arises Bill will be the for advice in specific areas. Jointly announcing this arrangement, James Cornford, Chairman of the Council for Freedom of Information, and Des Wilson, Chairman of the Campaign Committee, stated: focus for a "We are naturally very pleased to have accessto the advice Sir Kenneth Clucas of this group of former senior civilservants with such lengthy and invaluable experience in government. "We should make it clear that they are not only people of national debate distinction, but independence of mind, and we have not asked, By James Cornford nor would we expect, that they support all of our detailed objectives. (In this respect their position issimilar to that of our Thanks to an initiative by the Liberal leader , David Steel, a Freedom of parliamentary supporters, and supporting organisations, who Information Bill bas been given its first reading in the House of share our broad aims but not necessarily every detail of our Commons and has been printed. Of course, it stands no chance at proposals). present for lack of parliamentary time, but the importance of this step "Our preliminary discussions have demonstrated, how- is two-fold: First, the Bill will provide a focus for the national debate about bow ever, that they are unanimous in their view that Section 2 of freedom of information legislation should be introduced in Britain, The Official Secrets Act should be repealed, and that and what it would achieve. legislative action is required to create greater freedom of Second, we believe we have been able to incorporate in the Bill information. The fact that these busy people have gen- adequate answers to tbe fears expressed by the Prime Minister and otbers about the effects of such legislation. erously offered their time to advise the Campaign speaks for Sir Patrick Nairne itself 'of the depth of their concern about the extent of The Bill is a considerable advance on those introduced into the unnecessary secrecy, and we are much encouraged by this. " House by Clement Freud in 1978179 and Frank Hooley in 1981, not least because we have been able to exantine the legislation introduced in countries which share our constitutional tradition, sucb as Canada, Australia and New Zealand, and also learn from their early ex- First Division civil periences. The Bill has two main purposes: first, it establishes a right of access J by the public to official information, subject to specific exemptions; servants say 'Yes second, it repeals Section 2 of the Official Secrets Act 1911and replaces it by measures which protect specified classes of information where The First Division Association of ciation, the Socjety of Civil and disclosure would cause serious harm. Civil Servants has taken the unpre- Public Servants, and the In- Before listing briefly the main features of the Bill, I would like to cedented step of affiliating with an stitution of Professional Civil Ser- emphasise that the Campaign hopes there will be widespread discussion outside pressure group - the vants all passed resolutions at their of its provisions and that individuals and organisations will not hesitate Campaign for Freedom of Infor- conferences in support of the ! to offer critical comments. If we can improve it, we are anxious to do mation. Campaign, as did the National so. In this respect, our supporting and observer organisations are After a major debate at its Union of Public Employees. committed to the broad aims of the Bill but are also encouraged to seek annual conference, the Associa- In a remarkable tribute to the to improve or strengthen it. tion firmly committed itself to campaign, Alan Healey, chairman Sir Douglas Wass freedom of information, and then of the First Division Association With reference to the right of access, the Bill ... went on to decide to support the Machinery of Government Sub- political axe to grind. They know • enables individuals to obtain access to any official document held Campaign. Committee wrote in the Associa- their stuff, areserious-minded and by a central government department, health or water authority, If is now represented on the tion's journal: "We were favour- realistic in their expectations. We provided that it is not specifically exempt or already publicly Campaign's Council together with ably impressed with the approach found them willing to listen to available. Only documents created after the Bill comes into force representatives of all the other adopted by the Campaign. This is alternative argument and take on may be obtained under it. major civil service unions, for the certainly not just another board points about practical and • lays down the procedures for applying for and obtaining docu- Civil and Public Services Asso- campaign with a self-interested or ethical difficulties. " (continued on page 2) Fol Bill will serve as focus Hopes that an MP will for a national debate continued from page 1 ments. introduce Private • requires a reply to requests within 30 days. Where access is granted, the document must be made available for inspection and copying as soon as practicable. Where access is refused, the applicant must be told why, and has the right to appeal to an Information Com- MemberJs Bill on access missioner and subsequently to apply for,a review to an Information Tribunal. • requires the correction of any document found to contain in- accurate or misleading information about the applicant. to personal files • lists exemptions from disclosure, notably where disclosure would: (1) seriously impair defence, security or foreign relations, other than with the European Communities A Bill, drafted by tbe Campaign for Freedom of Information, to create access by individuals (2) assist in the commission of crime or impede law inforcement to their own personal files has been given its first reading in the House of Commons. (3) normally be protected by lawyer-client privilege Tbe Bill was introduced under the Ten Minute Rule Procedure by Chris Smith MP. (4)(a) give an unfair advantage to competitors of the party Mr. Smith hopes to win a top place in the Private Members Ballot in the autumn so that he concerned, or can obtain adequate Parliamentary time for the Bill, but if he does not achieve this, he hopes (b) impair the ability of the department or authority to obtain that another MP of any party who comes high in the ballot will adopt the Bill. similar information in the future The campaign has high hopes that it will receive enthusiastic aU-party support. (5) constitute an unwarranted invasion of an individual's privacy (6) reveal the advice given by an individual official on the making The Access to Personal Files Billwill may also appeal in the case of refusal. shaHbe exempt from disclosure unless of policy. allow individuals to obtain copies of, , Authorities will be required to draw access is reasonably necessary to en- Expert opinion on a scientific or technical issue or on the in- and where necessary require that cor- up codes of practice containing pro- able a proper understanding of the ,terpretation of information is not covered by the last exemption. rections be made to, information cedures to ensure that the objectives of document lawfully disclosed, or its Exemption for commercial confidences or personal privacy may be relating to themselves. the Bill are met. contents have been significantly af- over-ruled where disclosure would clearly be in the public interest. It will complement the Data Pro- Some types of information will be fected by a change made after this Bill tection Act 1984 which gives indi- exempt from disclosure under the Bill, comes into effect. The Bill also: viduals the right to check their compu- namely information affecting the priv- Where exempt information has • requires the publication of any guidelines, interpretations, or rules terised records. This Act does not, acy of other individuals: information been used as a basis for a decision or used in making decisions that directly affect individuals. however, apply to non-computerised likely to reveal the identity of a mem- action affecting the applicant's • requires government departments to make available indexes to files. ber of the public providing in- interests, the information shaH be documents and codes of guidance describing how members of the The decision by Chris Smith MP to formation to an authority in con- disclosed if the legitimate interests of public may apply for, inspect, copy and correct documents under introduce the Bill followed the pub- fidence; information whose disclosure the applicant outway the interests the Bill. The information commissioner will be entitled to in- lication of Secrets File No 3. This would be likely to expose some person protected by tile exemption. The demonstrated that while many public other than the applicant to risk of Registrar, as defined in the Data vestigate complaints from applicants about refusal of access and services kept detailed files on indi- Protection Act, will act as the first other matters and also has powers to initiate investigations, and to viduals which were accessible to' a Access to Personal Files (No.2) place of appeal. command witnesses and documents. Where he finds a complaint is considerable number of people whose Introducing his Bill to the House of justified, he shall make an order requiring that access be given to main qualification would appear to be Commons, Chris Smith said "There is A the information. that they are "professionals", indi- too often a patronising and arrogant An applicant whose complaint is not upheld by the commissioner viduals themselves do not know what B ILL assumption that the professional To provide access for private individuals may appeal to the tribunal for review, and government departments is in their file, how many people have to information relating to themselves knows best and that individuals can- maintained by certain authorities. insti· may also appeal to the tribunal against any order from the com- access to the file, and in what circums- tutions and persons; to allow individuals not be trusted with recorded infor- tances, or what decisions are taken on to obtain copies of, and require correc- mation about themselves. My pro- missioner requiring them to disclose a document. Parties whose tions to be made to, such information; the basis of what information, and to provide for the enforcement of posed Bill seeks to challenge that commercial confidences or personal privacy may be affected may also In many other countries, legislation these provisions. assumption and to enshrine a right of appeal. already exists allowing individuals to access to all. The Bill forms a practical Pus~n(~d by Mr. Chris Smith Part 2 of the Bill replaces Section 2 of the Official Secrets Act. It obtain records held about them by supporud by Mr. Nicholas Brown, part of the Campaign for Freedom of Mr. Jertmy Corbyn, Mr. Dtuk Fa!cheu. defines information whose unauthorised disclosures should constitute official agencies. These include the Mr.lt!rry Hay,-s, Mr. Sean Hughes, Information; an attempt to open up Mr. Ian Mlkardo, Mr. NormQJI MI.scampb~lI. an offence, namely United States, Australia, Canada, Mr P~tu Pjk~. Mr, Allan Roberts, the closed processes of administra- New Zealand and a number of Eu- Clare Short and Mr. James Wallace tion, and to do so at the frontline where (a) information likely to cause serious injury to the defence, in- ropean countries, including Denmark, individual citizens are most directly ternational relations, security or intelligence of the nation, or France, Norway and Sweden, Ordered, by The House of Commons. involved. " (b) information communicated for the purposes of assisting a crime or (0 be Primed, 25(h July 1984 The bill given its first reading in the Mr.Smith said there were powerful impeding the detection of offences. House of Commons would entitle an reasons for providing a right of access: individual to be told by an authority WNDON first, secrecy, and the paternalism that It also creates a defence against charges of wrongful disclosure whether it holds records relating to Pr1f:~~£~~~;~i~~.. gives rise to it, makes for bad govern- where the information is already publicly available or where the P"rUlUDeAW)' PruJ him or her, whether indexed under his £2·70oel ment and bad administration; second, disclosure is in the public interest. or her name or that of another in- [Bill 225] ('''''') 49/1 a right of access would lead to more The main changes in the provisions of this Bill from the Freud and dividual, and to be supplied with careful records; third, the opportunity Hooley Bills are: copies of such records, with any The Access to Personal Files Bill to correct inaccuracies would be in-' necessary explanation of terms. introduced by Chris Smith MP. It is valuable; fourth, a right of access for • access to documents created before the Act comes into effect will be Time limits for complying with h6ped Mr. Smith or another MP who files kept on paper would rectify an much more restricted to allow for the problems of government requests, and for obtaining the con- comes high in the Private Members imbalance which would exist between departments in reorganising their systems of record-keeping. sent, where needed, of any other Ballot in the autumn will introduce it computerised records opened up by individual mentioned in the records, early in 1985. the Data Protection Act - and paper • a new exemption for advice on policy by public servants has been are laid down. records; fifth, greater openness could added, together with a tightening of the exemptions for trade The Bill will require authorities to serious injury; or information which is provide a major benefit for the secrets and privacy, which are now subject to an override in the maintain and make publicly available subject to legal professional privilege. authority and the professional public interest. indexes of the kinds ofrecords held by Where a report contains exempt workers involved as well as for the them which are subject to the pro- information, the record shaH be dis- particular client. • an Information Commissioner with extensive powers has replaced visions of the Bill. It entitles indi- closed with the exempt information "Over and above all these practical the Parliamentary Commissioner as the arbiter of complaints about viduals who consider that information removed. issues however, is an overriding moral access, with appeal to a special Tribunal rather than the courts. on records relating to them is in- Disclosure may be deferred for up to issue. Surely a citizen should have the • the protection of criminal sanctions is no longer available for trade accurate, incomplete, irrelevant, out six months if, in the opinion of a right to know what is being written and secrets or privacy. of date or misleading, to apply for it to medical practitioner, immediate dis- recorded about them by those em- be corrected, erased, supplemented or closure would be likely to expose the ployed by the community to provide Copies of the Bill can be obtained from HMSO or the Campaign for amended. Where such a request is not applicant to risk of serious physical or services or to exercise authority." Freedom of Information and any comments or suggestions should be granted, the applicant is entitled to mental harm. addressed to the Legislation Sub-Committee, Campaign for Freedom of have a note of his or her contention A record or part of a record pre- See Report by Maurice Frankel on Information, 2 Northdown Street, London N1 9BG. entered on the record. The applicant pared before the Bill comes into effect Access to Medical Files - Page 4. James Cornford, Director of the Nuffield Foundation, and Chairman of the Royal Institute for Public Administration, is Chairman of the Council for Data Protection Act creates Freedom 0/ In/ormation. at allover the databanks of MIS, for one purpose should not be used' MI6, and the Special Branch. for another, so that your medical The Registrar's powers are closely records generally should not be given related to the delay of over two years to the police. precedent for right to know before 'data subjects', as we are all known under the Act, will have any Under the Act, both of these basic rules can be broken in the interest of The Data Protection Act 1984 advances the cause of freedom of information by enabling rights at all. The first part of his job individuals to check their computerised records. James Michael reports. will be to compile a register of all preventing crime or tax evasion. For 'data users' who use computers to example, the police may refuse to let you see what their computer has on The good news is that the Data Pro- Data Protection Convention to es- lar rights for 'manual files' , however, process personal information. He has two years to do that, and has no you if it would prejudice crime pre- tection Act 1984 will give people a tablish minimum standards for pro-' and several other countries have done vention, and medical information legally enforceable right to know cessing personal information by com- just that. But the British Act does not power to do anything else during that may be passed to tax authorities in the period. And, although the Data Pro- what information about them is held puters, apply to manual files, and there are interest of preventing tax evasion. on computers. The bad news is that The British Data Protection Act is already arguments about whether it tectioh Act is now officially law, the the right will not be effective for at designed to meet the bare minimum covers paper or microfiche files that registration period will only begin But -the Registrar dqes have the least two years, and even then will be standards of the Convention so that are linked to a computerised index. when the Home Secretary names the powerto decide whether such breaches subject to several key exceptions. the Un'itedKingdom can join the club. The second loophole is 'allowed by day, probably in January 1985. were really justified, on a case-by- The Act has a long history, the most Because of this the British government the Convention for national security, But by about 1987 data subjects case basis, That power, along with the important aspect of which is that it has taken advantage of every possible and the British Act takes full ad- will have some important, if limited, powers bf the courts to order cor- was passed for commercial reasons loophole in the Convention, many of vantage of it. If a Cabinet Minister rights. The most important of these rection, erasure, and compensation if rather than out of a governmental which affect the right of 'subject certifies that personal information is are expressed as the principles of damage has been caused, are import- interest in protecting privacy. There access' . processed for purposes of national 'subject access' and of 'nondisclo- ant improvements. In about 1987 the was widespread concern that other The first loophole is that the Con- security, then that processing is com- sure'. The first is your right to know importance of those improvements countries might use their data protect- vention only requires protection for pletely outside the Act. The Data what the computer has on you, and is will depend on the Registrar, the ion laws to cut off business with computer-stored information, and Protection Registrar, who has the job connected to your right to have it courts, and, perhaps most important, British data processors. To avoid this not for old-fashioned paper files, It of seeing that data processors obey corrected. The second principle is the willingness of 'data subjects' to the Council of Europe prepared a encourages countries to establish simi- the rules, will probably have no power that personal information collected assert their new rights, CampaignJs legislative Strategy is outlined STOP Bill would -l'he Campaign for Freedom of Information has already achieved first readings for three pieces of FOI legislation and two others are in the make water pipeline. PRESS All five Bills are being introduced under the Ten Minute Rule procedure by MPs of all parties, with all-party support. authorities • A full Freedom of Information Bill, drafted by the Campaign (see Page 1) was introduced by the Leader of the Liberal Party, The Rt The TUC at its 1984 conference at Bon David Steel. Brighton passed the following res- • An Access to Personal Files Bill (see Page 2) was introduced by olution: meet publicly Labour MP Chris Smith. 'Congress considers that greater • A Bill to open up local authorities was introduced by Liberal MP freedom of information will, make Britain more democratic and enhance The Campaign for Freedom of Information and the Community Rights Simon Hughes (see Secrets File No 5). the quality oj public debate. All were given a first reading but will lapse for lack of parliamentary Project are to sponsor a Private Members Bill to require water, Congress believes that the Campaign authorities to meet in public. time. s for Freedom of Information has • Two further Bills will be introduced in the autumn, at least one by a further exposed that the continued use The Bill will be backed up by a special Secrets File on water authority Conservative MP. They will be a Bill to open up Water Authorities by the Government of Section 2 of the secrecy (it will be published soon). (see this page) and a Bill on environmental secrecy (see Page 4). Official Secrets Act is contrary to Before the 1983 Water Act, members of the public had a right to see moves in many democratic countries minutes of water autbority meetings and could turn up in person to hear The purpose of these initiatives is three-fold: first, to achieve towards open government, and calls for parliamentary time for exposure of excessive secrecy and for proposals the repeal of Section 2, the discussions and see which way individual members voted. The media for Freedom of Information; second, to have the Bills printed as a focus could also cover meetings. Under the Act, bowever, water authorities Congress believes that the objective were given the option to exclude the press and public from meetings, and for the national debate on how FOI could be introduced; tbird, to make of the Campaign should be applied, as available a number of FOI options for Members of Parliament far as is reasonably possible, to all all nine English Water Authorities immediately decided to do so. The participating in the ballot for Private Members Bills in the autumn. public bodies, and callsfor measures to Welsh Water Authority is the one that continues to act openly. The Campaign's strategy is as follows: increase public access to information. The Bill will be roughly as follows: The full Freedom of Information Bill will not be pushed by the It calls upon the General Council to make representations to government Water Authorities (Meetings) Bill 1984 Campaign this autumn. It is the Campaign's view that this is not an and join with other organisations as appropriate time, politically, to attempt to introduce this major piece of part oj a campaign to achieve these 1. (1) The Public Bodies (Admissions to part of a,ny meeting of a water objectives, Meetings) Act 1960 shall apply to authority shall be available for legislation in tbe House. Instead, it will serve as the focus for a national meetings of water authorities. public inspection at all reasonable debate until such time as it is felt there is a real probability of Congress calls on the Government to (2) Lines 1-3 of Part I of Schedule 5 of hours at least three clear days before parliamentary success. ensure that the BBC, IBA, and the new the Water Act 1983 (which excludes the meeting of any water authority cable authority conduct their affairs in water authorities from the pro- and any member of the public may In the meantime, however, the Campaign will push its other Bills and a more open and publicly accountable visions ofthe Public Bodies (Admis- make a copy of any such agenda hope to achieve at least an element of FOI with all-party support. fashion.' sions to Meetings) Act 1960) shall upon payment of a reasonable fee, Top priorities are the Bills to create access by individuals to their cease to have effect. 3. This Act shall come into force on 1st personal files, and to open up local authorities. 2. Copies of the agendas of the public January 1985.

Campaign Comment

What we " have. learned from the F.o.l.debate in 1984 As we approach the last quarter of 1984 it is possible to Fifth, the suggestions in the earlier days that the propose that FoI is unnecessary, or would not work with draw a number of conclusions on access to information: Campaign for Freedom of Information was some kind of our unique constitution, despite the daily proof of need First, while Orwell's more terrifying predictions have, radical conspiracy has been completely disproved by the and tbe fact that it has been introduced effectively in thankfully, not been fulfilled, his vision of a leadership in support of so many respected individuals and organ- countries with similar constitutions. It is to imply that 1984 committed to the principle that 'ignorance is isations. A former Joint Head of tbe Civil Service is to parliament would be weakened and Ministers made less strength' has been realised. The Prime Minister has flatly chair a panel of highly-respected advisors; indeed, the accountable, although the reverse is the case. And it is to refused to discuss or even allow her colleagues to discuss First Division Association in its newsletter said: "In refuse any open debate on the issue, simply because they freedom of information. Unnecessary secrecy has in- general we werefavourably impressed with the approach know only too well tha't they cannot sustain their position. creased. The discredited Section 2 of the Official Secrets adopted by the campaign. This is certainly not just That is why senior civil servants have been instructed not Act has been more frequently employed for both pros- another campaign with aself-interested orpolitical axe to to talk to the Campaign. What a travesty of democracy, ecutions and the issue of search warrants over the past 6 grind. They know their stuff, are serious-minded and and what bypocrisy to link such an approach with claims months tban over the previous 5 years. Considerable realistic in their expectations. We found them willing to that tbey believe in more open administration. resources of police manpower are devoted to investi- listen to alternative argument and to take on board points Let's repeat once more, therefore, the following points: gations into leaks - politically embarrassing leaks, rather about practical and ethical difficulties. " • Freedom of information is now urgently necessary to than leaks likely to endanger the state. Media ma- Our sixth and final conclusion arises from the above - correct the imbalance of access to information nipulation has reached unprecedented levels. If the it is that the Campaign must continue, and that all between governors and governed in Britain - an Campaign for Freedom of Information had not been involved must commit themselves to build on its early imbalance of such size and scope that it seriously needed before 1984, the Prime Minister and her associates successes, escalate its activities, and fight on into 1985, undermines the health of our democracy. The sources have by their every action underlined both the need for, then 1986, and ever onwards until the people of Britain are of power and influence are obscured. Public servants and the urgency of the cause today. given the same rigbt to know that has already been are not properly accountable. Public participation is Second, there is a national consensus on the need for established in other Westminster-style democracies such seriously hampered. Justice is often not seen to be FoI legislation. The FoI coalition now exceeds 50 well- as Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, and also in the done. Inefficiency and error are made more likely. established and respected organisations from every field United States, and in many continental countries. , We have been open, as befits a campaign for freedom of • The need for greater freedom of information, and for of social concern. Hundreds of local organisations have repeal of Section 2 of the Official Secrets Act, has been indicated support, as have local authorities. The media, information, about our tactical approach. It is to use the emphasised by every major inquiry into the operation itself a reflection of public opinion, overwhelmingly full FoI Bill introduced in the House of Commons by David Steel as a discussion document over the next 18 of the civil service, and into the Official Secrets Act in supports the demand for FoI. Public meetings have been particular. well-attended and enthusiastic. All of the opposition months or so, while weintroduce a number of smaller Bills parties are united in support, and many Conservatives on specific aspects of freedom of information - to • Freedom of information has been effectively intro- have had tbe courage to reject Mrs. Thatcher's lead and implement the Royal Commission on Environmental duced in a variety of countries to tbe benefit of the openly declare their support for freedom of information. Pollution's recommendations about environmental se- people and to the quality of public administration Third, the fact that every civilservice union supports the crecy; to create access to personal files and thus comple- witbout excessive cost and adverse effects on ef- Campaign, and that even the First Division civil servants ment the access provided by the Data Protection Bill; to ficiency. took the unprecedented step of affiliating to an outside reverse the scandalous decision to allow water authorities • It is possible to protect tbose matters that should campaign, demonstrates that the main problem is not the to operate in secret; and to further open up local remain secret - in fact, secrecy, where it is necessary, civil service, but the politicians, whose record - and this authorities. will be strengthened and not weakened by the imple- is so of all parties - has been to pay lip-service to freedom In addition to these legislative initiatives, we will mentation of legislation based on a consensus about of information in opposition, but fail to act when in continue to develop our coalition, to demonstrate that what should be open and what should be confidential. power. freedom of information is practicable and necessary, and Our campaign has already demonstrated that freedom Fourth, the entire case of the opponents of freedom of to underline the isolation of those powerful few who of information is a cause'for this nation's people and information has been discredited. The campaign has been would deny the majority the information collected in their institutions alike, and has the support of the majority of able to draw on the experience of other countries, plus the name and at their expense. both. The Prime Minister's isolated position is becoming advice of many knowledgeable and concerned members This is our strategy - but what is the approach of the increasingly untenable. If her claims of firm allegiance to of its coalition, to produce a draft FoI Bill dealing with all Prime Minister and the selfish, secretive few around her? democracy and individual freedom are to have any the reservations expressed by the Prime Minister herself in' It is to set up straw men and knock them down. It is to credibility whatsoever, sbe must at least allow open and her letter to the Campaign in January. We have been able pretend that the campaign wants to end all secrecy, even if free debate on the issue, and even participate herself, and to propose an appeals procedure that does not, as she it endangers national security, when we have made clear she must at least allow both the parliamentary time and feared, transfer decisions to the courts. Likewise, fears this is not so, and published our list of exemptions. Itis to freedom of expression to her MPs for the constructive FoI that FoI would mean there could be no confidentiality at make claims about the expense of freedom of information Bills on access to personal files, local authorities, water all have been disproved; exemptions to the proposed that have not been justified by the experience of other authorities, and environmental pollution, all of them legislation more than adequately protect information countries. It is to raise the spectre of more bureaucracy, urgently needed, and all of them designed to deal with which in the public interest should remain confidential. another claim not substantiated by other countries. It isto secrecy where it affects the public most directly. edged that he kept a private second set Secrecy and our medical records of notes to circumvent the open access procedures. 14 A better solution may be to ac- knowledge that some ofthe terms used in medicine, particularly psychiatry, have pejorative connotations - at least to the lay public - and could be replaced by less charged alternatives. Major benefit would The authors of the study of 27 record-requesting patients in a Mass- ,achusetts hospital were psychiatric consultants on medical and surgical wards. In their published paper they described most of the 27 patients in result from access by terms almost certain to cause offence if they appeared in the patient's own records. For example, all but one of the patients were said to have 'per- s'onality disorders'; all the women and patients to files three of tbe six men were judged to be 'of the hysterical type with demand- ing, histrionic behaviour'; and a large Patients will have a right to see the stand their problems , .. and take a of pain, the need for help or medi- removed from their records and were group of the women had 'self-induced medical records kept on them by more active role in their treatment'. cation, or the veracity of the patient's 'pleasantly surprised to be treated as or factitious illnesses'. Not surprising- ly, when they obtained their records, doctors and hospitals if the Coming to terms with the information observations' .Il adults ... (they) found it educational Campaign's proposed Access to Per- was not an entirely smooth process - Another frank account in a medical and appreciated the trust implied',' many of the patients 'reacted angrily sonal Files Bill becomes law. A review about half the patients acknowledged journal acknowledges that: 'Admitted Some of the individual responses of to what was written'.9 of the medical literature on patient that they had been upset by something or not, the fact remains that a few patients who saw their records are Was this the only way the patients' access suggests that major benefits will they read - yet most (71 %) reported patients kindle aversion, fear, despair worth noting. One patient used in- behaviour could have been described? result. that they felt 'more self-confident as a or even downright malice in their formation on his record 'to justify a Accurate, but less pejorative descrip- result' and (92%) were in favour of doctors'll series of specific requests for further tions could have been shared with the (1) Patients will be able to detect and open records, An equally positive Patients cannot expect their doctors evaluation and for follow-up care. He patients without arousing their anger correct inaccuracies in their records response was found amongst the staff to be entirely free of such, after all was pleased to be able to communicate and become the basis for an open Errors may have serious con- most of whom said they were human, responses. But they can insist with his doctors in a quasi-professio- discussion of any underlying prob- sequences, not only for a patient's 'comfortable with open records ... that they do not distort the doctor's nal manner'.' lems. Such records would be no less treatment, but also for his or her and thought this was a useful thera- professional judgement, and appear A patient at a psychiatric clinic 'was precise - and therapeutically far more ability to obtain insurance or even a peutic tool. . . (which) helped the on the medical record. angry at her therapist at another clinic. useful. job (when a medical reference is often treatment of most patients' and led to Of the 27 Massachusetts patients She wanted an objective view of her A problem sometimes raised is' insisted on), as well as for medical more accurate recording.' who asked for their hospital records, it past behaviour. The patient read the whether open access would force research. Yet studies of medical re- is significant that a majority apparent-, records with extreme care. She was doctors to reveal information about, cords have often revealed widespread (3) Patients may become less anxious, ly wanted them either 'to confirm the ~ pleased that the descriptions of her say, a terminal illness to patients who errors, particularly if they have felt that staff belief that the staff harbored negative were accurate ... She ... (later) said clearly do not want to know. Patients OP records in Leicester were found may have concealed the seriousness of personal attitudes toward them' or that reading the records had helped to who prefer their doctors to decide how to have wrongly described, or omitted, their illness from them. Certainly, when patients 'perceived the staff to be convince her that "learning disabi- much information to give them need the sex of the patient in 1.40,70of cases; patients who do not want to know the skeptical about the validity of their lities" were not the only problem not, and presumably will not, ask to the patient's year of birth was wrongly worst about, say, a terminal illness symptoms'! accounting for her past difficulties and see their files. The Campaign's pro- recorded in 4.2% of records.' A com- should not have this information ~'" that there were other aspects of her posals will provide a right of access for puter program designed to spot ob- forced upon them. On the other hand, :l personality which required her atten- those who want it - but will not vious implausibilities in information patients may be offered reassuring tion'." impose information on anyone who being fed on to a medical centre's statements when in fact they want to The staff at this clinic noted that does not. computerised records found that 7% know the precise nature oftheir condi- most patients reacted positively to Open access will give patients a of all entry forms contained errors tion. In the absence of a frank answer, seeing their record and, indeed, were safeguard against the damage that such as treatment allegedly given they may come to suspect that the impressed to discover how detailed a could be caused by errors, It will before the illness in question began,l worst is being concealed from them. know ledge 0 f them staff had acquired; produce records that are accurate and Eighteen per cent of patients in an Several studies of open records have the staff themselves were surprised therapeutically more useful, helping Oxfordshire practice, who were sent noted this effect. Of twenty-seven and gratified at this favourable re- patients to understand their own con- summaries of their medical histories, patients at a Massachusetts hospital sponse." dition, and play a full part in pro- found that additions, corrections or who asked for their records (as state tecting their health. deletions were required.' Forty-two law entitled them to), eight were (6) Patients would be able to carry a per cent of the records collected for concerned about potentially serious copy of their records with them when administrative and research purposes prognoses. 'These patients were ac- they travel. This may be particularly by Scottish hospitals were found to tually well-informed about their ill- valuable for patients who fear they be contain one or more errors.' Forty- nesses and treatment but seemed to at risk from sudden reccurrence of a seven per cent of discharge forms held fear that information was being with- long-standing complaint, and may I Fraser, R,C, & Clayton, D,G, (1981), The accuracy of at two Welsh hospitals omitted any held ... (they) tended to be reassured need emergency treatment from a age-sex registers, practice medical records and family reference to discharge treatment; by the opportunity to review their doctor who has no personal knowl- practitioner committee registers. Journal 0/ the Royal edge of their medical history. College of General Practitioners, 31,410-419. where drug treatment was mentioned, charts, .. In three cases, the phys- , Basden, A. & Clark, E,M, (1979), Errors in a compute- II% omitted the name of the drug, and icians agreed to share information SECRETS FILE 3 described the rised medical records system (CLINICS). Medical In· 21 % its dose or frequency. Forty- from the chart on a routine basis, and case of an NHS patient who moved formalics, 4, (4), 203·208, 3 Sheldon. M,G. (1982), Giving patients a copy of their seven per cent of medical histories this seemed to diminish patients' mis- away from the UK. She was told that computer medical record, Journal oflhe Royal Col/egeof contained no reference to possible trust and feelings of helpless depen- her NHS records would be kept for General Practitioners, 32. 80-86. allergies, and on three-quarters of the three years and then destroyed - but 4 Lockwood, E. (1971), Accuracy of Scottish Hospital dency'! Morbidity Data, Brit, J, Prev, Soc, Med" 25,76-83, occasions when X-rays were per- could not be transferred to her new Reports on this page S Swansea Physicians' Audit Group (1983), Audit of the formed, no report was present in the (4) Patient access will provide a safe- doctor abroad. quality of medical records in a district general medicine unit. Journal of Ihe Royal Col/ege of Physicians of case notes.' guard against the possibility that by London, 17, (3), 208·212, The risks were illustrated by the highly subjective or even prejudiced Drawbacks? 'Stein, E,G, el al (1979), Patient access to records on a experience of a doctor at a university comments will be made on the record. Maurice Frankel What are the drawbacks of open psychiatric in-patient unit. American Journal 0/ Psy- medical centre. He reported that a According to an article in the New access? Some doctors fear that it may chialry, 136, (3). 327·9, 7 Altman, H,H,. el al (1980), Sounding board, Patients student's medical notes wrongly de- England Journal oj Medicine, 'Thinly (5) An open record may enbance prevent them from communicating who read their hospital charts, New England Journal of scribed him as requiring anti-convul- disguised rejection of certain patients patients' confidence in the medical frankly with colleagues, One doctor in Medicine, 302, (3),169-171. 8 LipSill, D,R, (1980), The patient and the record, New sant medication following an oper- flourishes in the medical system' , The staff and lead to a more positive a US open-access practice has re- England Journal of Medicine, 302, (3), 167·8, ation to remove a brain tumour. The author noted that it was not only the working relationship. Even the gesture marked that 'It is difficult to soft- • Groves. J ,E, (1978), Taking care of the hateful patient. error was discovered only by chance patient who could be 'difficult'. The of inviting the patient to look at the pedal findings and observations re- New England Journal of Medicine. 298, (16), 883·7, and it was later found that the stu- "mistrusting" patient has often en- record may have this effect. One such garding a patient's cognitive function, 10 Roth, L.R, 01al (1980). Patient access to records: tonic or toxin? American JournalofPsychialry, 137,(5),592·6. dent's OP had mistakenly forwarded countered the doubting responses of group of patients 'often expressed a his estimated level of intelligence, his 11 Devereaux, M,W, (1974), Leller. New England Journal information that actually related to a professionals who challenge the reality sense of relief at having the secrecy thought processes, etc' and acknowl- Of Medicine. January 31, 1974, page 288, wholly different patient. A medical reference based on this inaccurate record could well have cost the student any chance of a job in certain oc- cupations.

(2) Patients will becoqJ.e better in- Employees have legal rights to in- formed and likely to accept greater Secrecy and Environmental Pollution formation about hazards: members of responsibility for their health. the public who may be similarly af- Patients are often dissatisfied with the The unacceptable restrictions on the Nothing remotely like tbese safe- an equal number of dangerous sites fected should have the same rights. information they receive from their public release of pollution in- guards applies to members of the covered only by existing UK regu- The Campaign is now drafting a bill doctors. A review of eight surveys formation have again been highlighted public who may be affected by lead - lations, and not tbe directive, will to give members of the public a right to carried out in the UK between 1972 and by new Health and Safety Commission or any other form - of pollution. remain secret. know about health and environmental 1976 found that typically around one- (HSC) proposals. Since 1974 the Minister has had hazards caused by cbemicals and third of patients were dissatisfied with In May 1984 the HSC's Advisory pollution. The bill- which it is hoped The HSC has proposed to amend the powers, under section 3 of the Health Committee on Major Hazards urged communications, and in one study as will be introduced into Parliament this code of practice governing the safe use and Safety at Work Act (HSWA), to the HSC to consider whether tbe long- many as 65% were unhappy,' of lead at work. The changes include year - will seek to implement the make public disclosure regulations. overdue public disclosure regulations Even where the information is pro- excellent disclosure of information recent recommendations of the Royal The USC has never asked tbe Minister under the HSW A should now be vided, patients often fail to under- provisions - but once again only to use these powers. In the meantime, Commission on Environmental Pol- stand or remember it. Here, too, the, introduced - but hinted at serious lution. In its 10th report, published in workers, not the public, will benefit. the Act requires Factory Inspectors to difficulties in doing so. In their ab- opportunity to read their medical February 1984, the Royal Commission The HSC suggests that a new para- warn employees of hazards at work - sence, the committee did not feel tbat record, and have questions about it graph be added to the code. This would recommended that: 'a guiding prin- but an Inspector may be breaking the the Health and Safety Executive explained, may help patients obtain state: 'Employees or their represen- ciple behind all legislative and' ad- law if he gives information to a should be asked to publicly identify the and understand the information they tatives should be informed as quickly member of the public without the ministrative controls relating to en- dangerous sites. Instead, it resorted to need and appreciate the rationale fo'r as possible of the results of any lead-in- company's permission. vironmental pollution sbould be a the time-honoured escape clause any treatment they have been advised air monitoring which shows levels SECRETS FILE 2 described the presumption in favour of unrestricted favoured by government safety agen- to follow. access for the public to information above the lead-in-air standard and secrecy surrounding the whereabouts cies: industry should adopt 'voluntary Where access has taken place, extre- which the pollution control autborities should be informed of the reasons for of industrial sites using or storing large arrangements for the supply of in- mely positive results have been found. tbe excess. Where emergency amounts of explosive chemicals. In- obtain or receive by virtue of their formation to the public' . Of a group of 88 psychiatric patients measures have been taken to control 'formation about some 1,200 hazard- statutory powers, with provision for who were given access to their records the effects of such an excess, em- ous sites will have to be given to local The Campaign believes that the secrecy only in those circumstances in an American general hospital, a ployees ... sbould be informed of the members of the public under the terms voluntary approach is unacceptable as where a genuine case for it can be large majority (86%) found that the measures taken.' ofan EEC d rective. But tbe location of an alternative to statutory disclosure. substantiated' . access 'helped them to better under- protection for industry. In- formation will be exempt from dis- The effect on industry of F.o.l. closure if it would 'give an unfair advantage to competitors of the party concerned' . " He said tbat business and indus- '. try b'ad been one of tbe main users of Fol legislation in the United States and benefited considerably 'Only the·bad will suffer' from it. Des Wilson stressed, bowever, Freedom oHnformation would not • Fol would dispel unjustified pub- • Fol would remove tbe need to • Fol would help companies to tbat one ofthe positive effects of F 01 help 'bad companies' but would be lic suspicion that companies were wastefully duplicate product test- learn of complaints received would be that some industries could beneficial to industry as a whole, engaged in disreputable be- ing already carried out by other about their products, pollution, not feed to Whitehall inaccurate said Des Wilson, Chairman of the haviour; companies or competitors; or wbatever, and enable them to information in order to distort de- Campaign for Freedom of Infor- take corrective action before se- cision-making. He quoted as an mation, when he proposed a motion • FoI would encourage public con- rious consequences develop; illustration of tbis tbe cost and to that effect in a special committee fidence in the safety of products tecbnical difficulties involved in the room debate at the House of Com- or manufacturing processes by • FoI would enable companies to introduction of lead-free petrol. mons. showing there were no hidden obtain information needed for "The petroleum and car manufac- participation in law suits •.. "I would hope that aU sides of the hazards; turing industries have consistently information which may not be House would accept that if a com- refused to publish what they submit available through the normal pany is endangering public health, • FoI would dispel beliefs that to the authorities, and the obvious discovery process or may not be or even life, or is acting dishonestly, regulatory agencies were con- reason fortbis is that they do not wish spiring with industry to cover up available sufficiently quickly; it should be exposed", he said. it to be open to cballenge. We know hazards or anti-social behaviour. tbat in other countries tbey have "Tbe exposure of bad companies • FoI would help industry to learn It would reduce pressure for considerably exaggerated the prob- will be beneficial to industry as a of new business opportunities; whole because it raises the standards unnecessarily restrictive con- lems, and if it is suspected that they of industry and protects tbe good trols; • Fol would belp companies to also do this in Britain, those sus- name of the majority." learn of possible patents in- picions are fuelJed by their secrecy. " • Fol would make available infor- He said "There are some Des Wilson aid tbatindustry could fringement by competitors. mation about new official pro- businesses who sbould fear freedom not and should not be isolated from posals, or possibly arbitrary regu- He told his audience tbat op- of information but we must all hope tbe community as a whole and latory decisions and enable po~nts would probably seek to set they are few - the test of the integrity would benefit with everyone else industry to properly represent its up straw men and knock them down of Britisb industry as a whole is from a bealtbier democracy based interests; - to imply that companies would on access to information. whetber it will support measures that Des Wilson • . • "If a company have no privacy at all. "Anyone will be unhelpful to dishonest or However, tbere were a number of • FoI would provide information is endangering public health, or who reads our Bill, or for that environmentally-bostile companies reasons wby it would benefit di- about decisions unjustifiably even life, or is acting dishonest- matter FoI legislation in otber coun- whilst in no way unhelpful to in- ,rectly: favouring competitors; ly" it should be exposed". tries, will ,know there is adequate dustry as a whole."

with hazardous substances to have Consumer Council who have per- access to information which is pre- suaded the ScottiSh Office to make A'S~ecial Secrets File sently only available to employees. available all responses to Scottish Office consultation papers, unless Woodman - don't spare the consultees explicitly chose confiden- owner tiality. It is believed that the Scottish Earlier this year sixty acres of Aber- Office is the first government depart- nethy Forest, one of the last remnants ment to take this step. of the ancient Pine forests, was clear Access to Scottish Office circulars Secrecy in Scotland felled by the private owner. This has also been improved. In the past, it aroused the concern of the Nature has often proved difficult or impos- Conservancy Council because the land sible to find out what circulars were in Differences in law and administrative practice in Scotland result in access to information was in fact covered by a 'Dedication' force, and then to get copies. Now a problems dissimilar to those south of the Border. The Scottish Campaign for Freedom of agreement between the Forestry Com- central inquiry and distribution point mission and the owner, who received has been established at St. Andrews Information concentrates on distinctively Scottish problems, as well as supporting the main compensation for managing the for- House, in Edinburgh, themes of the United Kingdom campaign. est in an agreed manner. Because the agreement is confidential it remains a The great Scottish rating enigma Sometimes information is made sumers and their representaives need of a ship while being unloaded. If a mystery why the owner was allowed The Scottish Rating System is dif- available in Scotland in circum- to be fully informed as to how and conventional explosion had occurred, to clear, fell and raises doubts about ferent from England, and the Rating stances in which it would not be in why Health Boards make key deci- plutonium might have been scattered the nature and value of the Dedi- and Valuation (Scotland) (Amend- England. This is particularly true in sions. Under Scottish legislation, lo- over a wide area. The MOD, unlike cation agreement. Conservationists ment) Act contains a successful the case of information contained in cal authority committee meetings are civil nuclear installations, do not have would like to see more openness in amendment put forward by Michael social work files. open to the public, and the process of to notify such incidents to anyone. It such arrangements in the interests of Forsyth MP to open the accounts of In Scotland, unlike England where decision making can be directly ob- would seem quite reasonable and our heritage. local authorities to public scrutiny. it is considered not in the public served on local services such as hous- hardly threatening to national secur- At least in the above case the owner This followed a long campaign by the interest to have social work files ing, social work and environmental ity to suggest that military nuclear of the land was well known, but this is National Federation of Self Em- disclosed, a social worker's records health: it is unnecessarily inconsistent installations should have to meet the not always the case. Con- ployed and Small Businesses, Watch- may be treated as a 'compelling and that the equivalent Health Board same notification conditions as now servationists, particularly in rural dog on Rates, Scottish Consumer competent witness' by the court. In Committees offer no such public exist for civil nuclear installations. areas, who take a particular interest Council and the Scottish Federation other words a social worker in Scot- access. in a piece of land can find themselves of Ratepayers, among others. Until land can be asked to present their Tip off in the position of being unable to then the detailed accounts of Scottish records in the semi-public arena of Away from it all? Further up the Clyde, residents of identify who the land belongs to. It is Local Authorities were an impene- the court. Although clients would A local resident of Dunoon is con- Clydebank are concerned by a dif- a complicated and not always suc- trable secret. However, this will not in then have the opportunity of chal- cerned about what would happen if ferent pollution problem. Alerted by cessful business trying to obtain in- any way enlighten the ratepayer as to lenging the social worker's account of there is a major accident at one of the TV documentaries about the health (ormation from the Register of Sa- the machinations of the rating and their lives it may be the first chance Ministry of Defence's Clyde bases hazards of asbestos, local residents sines in Edinburgh. valuation of his home or business. they have of hearing what is on their and whether or not the local emerg- have started asking questions about In Scotland, valuation for rateable own file. ency services are prepared to cope, an old asbestos tip. In 1980, a former Water - The good news! purposes is in the care of a Regional The same applies in Children's She would like to see a copy of the factory inspector working for the It is at least encouraging that the Assessor and his department. The Hearings (Scotland's own system of local Emergency Procedures Plan Cancer Prevention Society took up secrecy which surrounds the work of Regional Assessor works within the justice for young people) where in- which might contain details of evac- the case on behalf of the local resi- the Area Water Authorities in En- local Regional Council's. organisation formation in social work and school uation procedures and decontamina- dents. He described the Clydebank gland and Wales does not apply in for administrative purposes only. reports must be disclosed by panel tion if radiation is involved. To date tip as one of the worst such cases of Scotland. While in England and However, he is not answerable to the members if it is material to the case. she has only been given copies of asbestos pollution in Britain. Wales, nine out of ten of the local local authority for his methods of Thus the only way parents or a child Scottish Office circulars intended as water authorities have taken advan- assessment. So if it is felt that the have a right to gain access to their guidelines to the heads of de- tage of the opportunity to exclude the rating assessment of a group of school record is if the child gets into partments in drawing up their own Report by the Scottish public from their meetings, here in businesses is not conducive to the trouble and is called to a Children's plans, and are therefore of limited Scotland all committee meetings of local economy then a complaint to the Hearing. value in assessing the adequacy of Campaign for the River Purification Boards remain local authority will do little good, An Apart from these very limited op- actual local provisions. However, she Freedom of open, including technical sub-com- approach to the Scottish Office will . portunities in court or at a hearing was also refused a copy of the Police mittee meetings where they exist. be no more fruitful. The complainant (which no ordinary citizen would Service circular, the excuse b~ing that Information In the case of the Clyde River will be advised to appeal to an in- engineer simply in order to gain ac- this contained confidential advice to Purification Board, anyone is wel- dependent tribunal. However, since cess to their files) we have little chance Chief Inspectors. After requesting come to go into their office in East the ratepayer is not given access to his to learn what is in our files or to the police circular, the lady was tele- Both the local authority Environ- Kilbride and 'examine their books'. file it is difficult to prepare an in- correct errors. phoned by the police asking why she mental Health Department and the The Clyde Board have even taken the formed case for this appeal. He can- Further, Wj! have little or no op- wanted to see the document. The Health and Safety Executive have initiative in publishing a ten year not query the assumptions upon which portunity to learn when, what, to coincidence of an article in Lancet conducted sampling tests around the review of pollution statistics in their local assessments are made. He can- whom and why information in our showing an inexplicable rise in leu- site but neither has been willing to region, having obtained the per- not even check the Assessor's arith- files is passed. The potential therefore kemia on the west coast of Scotland release the results of their tests, de- mission of companies in advance, metic. Regional Assessors are known exists for inaccurate or misleading and the revelation in the Ministry's spite constant pressure from the Can- only two of which refused permission to be unwilling to address local meet- information to find its way into the own Environmental Impact As- cer Prevention Society. Three years for publication of data. Other Boards ings to explain their methods to the official records of other secondary sessment that radiation is routinely of lobbying and several appeals to the seemed less well prepared for dealing public. In the end the Scottish rate- sources of service provision - for released into the Gareloch several Scottish Health Minister have only with inquiries, referring only to fig- payer has the expensive alternative of instance, medical records being re- times each week, has given great recently resulted in the Scottish Of- ures in their annual reports. All the seeking professional help to appeal corded in social work files. cause for concern. fice referring the Society back to the Boards were confident that they would on something which could have been There is far less information avail- Health and Safety Executive and the see the long awaited implementation easily explained and understood, gi- Taking a healthy interest able on the results of environmental local Environmental Health Depart- of the 1974 Act, allowing the dis- ven open access to information. In Scotland, Hospital Advisory Ser- monitoring around the Clyde Estuary ment. closure of information without the vice reports are only distributed at the than there would be for a civil in- The Cancer Prevention Society permission of the polluter, and the discretion of Health Boards, unlike in stallation. The Scottish Campaign was for- would like to see the Secretary of Clyde Board reported that it would mally launched at a conference in Englahd where they are openly avail- Routine releases of radiation are State for Health introduce new legis- soon be possible to sit down at a able. not the only problem. In 1981 it was lation, which he is empowered to do terminal in their head office and Glasgow on 11 April 1984, and it To be effective in influencing de- reported in the press that a Poseidon under Section 3 of the Health and access all their pollution data. can be contacted c/o Scottish cisions concerning hospital and other missile, carrying ten warheads, Safety at Work Act. This would allow Another crack in the wall of secrecy Consumer Council, 314 St. Vin- medical services at. a local level, con- 'slipped' and crashed against the side residents around a factory working has been opened up by the Scottish cent Street, Glasgow G3 8XW. Overseas News Environmental Secrecy Australian senator End to pesticides crushes myths on coverup in sight An end to pesticides secrecy is now in • In January, the Freedom of In- sight. Confidential safety studies on formation Campaign published pesticides used in the UK will shortly SECRETS FILE NO 2, prepared become publicly available for the first by Friends of the Earth, which time. called, for an end to the unac- freedom of information However, the change reflects no ceptable secrecy surrounding pes- credit on the Ministry of Agriculture ticide hazards in the UK. In a lecture sponsored by the in fact there were only six such en- only 25% of people surveyed indicated, - for the studies are being released in • In February, the Royal Commis- Campaign for Freedom of In- quiries. The Immigration Dept. had they knew of the Act and lessthan 10% the United States, not in this country. sion on Environmental Pollution formation at the House of Commons, predicted 100,000enquiries and in fact felt they would be competent to make a The move follows a ruling by the published its tenth report which Senator Alan Missen, former Chair- received 465. Thus predictions about request under it. A lot of promotional US Supreme Court in June 1984 that recommended much greater pub- man of the Senate Standing Com- extra bureaucracy and costs had work was required. pesticide disclosure laws, enacted in lication of pesticide data. 1978, should now be implemented in • In March, two government Min- mittee on Constitutional and Legal proved largely unfounded. The cost of Reminding his audience of prin- Affairs inAustralia ,crushed a number FoI in the first year in Australia had full. The court overturned injuctions isters committed themselves to ciples often laid down for a FoI Bill- blocking disclosure, which had been ending unnecessary environmen- of myths about freedom of infor- been about A$8 million and the public (a) disclosure must be the rule rather mation in describing Australia's first service only had to put on 45% of the obtained by US pesticide manufac- tal secrecy. Environment Minister than the exception; (b) there must be turers. William Waldegravetold the Com- two years of experience of an Fol Act. additional staff estimated when the narrowly defined exemptions justi- He said suggestions that Fol was Act was introduced. The ruling will have immediate mons 'In this area, above all, the fying secrecy; (c) there must be en- consequences' for the UK. Most pes- presumption must be in favour of inconsistent with the Westminster Of suggestions that the Act would forcement through appeals against system were, "misleading and out- lead to a lot of disputes, he said that ticides on the US market are also sold openness' (Hansard, 12 March secrecy to some independent arbiter- in this country, often by the same 1984, col. 128). Two weeks later, dated". He said "We came to the firm 70070 of applications were now being he added that there should be a fourth conclusion that the opponents of Fol granted in full, 23070 granted in part, manufacturers. In practice, this means Employment Minister John Gum- criterion: there must be easy access. that the safety studies submitted to mer announced: 'in environmen- were using the Westminster system as a and only 5% refused and 2% trans- "You must avoid having a marvellous kind of strait-jacket which was re- fered to other departments. the US authorities are also used to tal matters, the presumption must Bill that people do not use. You must obtain safety clearance in the UK. be in favour of openness rather straining democracy in a fixed pos- He said that the cost of FoI in charge low fees and have a right of ition. They were not recognising that, Australia had been about one-fifth of Although the Ministry of Agriculture than secrecy' (Hansard, 29 March waiver of fees. The public service must continues to insist that these studies 1984, cols. 285-6). Inexplicably, far from Fol changing the system, the the cost of total government propa- be enjoined to ensure it is going to be system was changing at all levels, and ganda and about one-tenth the real must remain confidential, the US ollJy the Ministry of Agriculture helpful to people seeking in- Environmental Protection Agency appears not to share this new FoI was a response that was needed to cost of all public relations by the formation." the changes that were occurring." government, (EPA) will now release them - and government policy. On the question of extra work Of suggestions that people would Copies of Senator Missen's lecture they will quickly become available to • Finally, in May, the pesticide caused by freedom of information, he not use the Act, he said that there had can be obtained from the Campaign environmental, consumer and trade manufacturers themselves ac- said that the Commission of Inquiry in been considerable ignorance in the for Freedom ofinformation, 2 North- union groups in the UK. knowledged that 'the public does Australia was warned to expect 86,000 first year but the number of appli- down Street, London Nl 9BG by Data released by the EPA in the have the right to know' about the enquiries a year about electoral mat- cations had gone up by 225% in the sending £1 plus a stamped addressed past has dramatically highlighted details of pesticide safety studies. ters alone once Follegislation existed; second year, In Queensland, however, AS envelope. some of the serious pesticide prob- In its 1983-4 annual report the lems existing in the UK, and con- British Agrochemicals As- cealed by secrecy arrangements in this sociation stressed that provided country. The EPA has reported ip.full manufacturers could prevent com- on those pesticides whose safety test- petitors making free use of their Letters ing was done by a laboratory known data, they would 'be willing to to have falsified data. In June this discuss with Government any A farmer, on subsidy, decided to "re- Commission, I cannot imagine any need for DC, Eastleigh DC, Hampshire CC, Cam- year the Minister of Agriculture re- means by which greater freedom claim" land which contained a famous Iron secrecy in this subject. bridgeshire CC, Sand wen MDC, Mid-Beds fused to release full details of the part of information could be achieved' . Age site next to the Iron Age Village of Wing Commander Derek Dudley Martin, DC, Inverness DC, Pendle DC and there Chysauster (an ancient monument). Al- OBE, BSc (£Con,) are many more Councils where Liberals played by this invalid data in the UK The new US measures show how though, belatedly the site was scheduled, by have raised the issue of Freedom of In- (Hansard, June 4, 1984, col. 74). manufacturers commercial interests the time the DoE Inspectorate got around formation and Open Government. Indeed However, many of the UK pesticides can be protected without secrecy. to doing anything about what was going on, Your Secrets File No, 4: An update on the whole issue is one of those which involved have been indentified in Although safety studies will be pub- half the site had been destroyed. Anyway, Secrecy in the Town Hall does not give distinguishes Liberals from their political regular reports on the subject issued licly available, the law does not allow fmallya rescue dig was mounted by the DoE proper recognition to the contribution of opponents. by the EPA. a competitor to use them to register a and reputedly they have made interesting the Liberal Party to the Campaign. Under the heading of 'The best so The new US disclosure ar- rival product unless it has first ad- finds (human remains, grave goods, etc.). In order to encourage Liberals to take up far .. .' you even managed to credit the rangements - which will lead to the However, when various people from the equately compensated the company the Campaign the Association of Liberal Tories for an initiative on Bristol City release of the fundamental pesticide that produced them. local press to local Antiquarians ap- Councilors (ALC) has included details of Council when it was a Liberal motion proached the DoE to find what was being campaigning ideas in our Grapevine pub- which, with a minor Labour amendment, safety studies normally confidential The disclosure laws were in- discovered they were told the information lication which is sent to nearly 2000 Liberal was passed without opposition. In another in this country - will seriously em- troduced after repeated findings that was classified under Section 2 (mid-April Councillors, and more detailed points in a section of the Secrets File you report that barrass the Ministry of Agriculture. manufacturers had submitted faulty 1984this was).ln fact the DoE spokesman special Grapevine Briefing which was sent the London Borough of Hackney has Just four days before the Supreme and incomplete safety studies on their who talked to a reporter from the local to the leading Liberal Councillors and opened all subcommittees, working groups Court disclosure ruling, the Ministry pesticides. They are designed to re- alternative newspaper, Voice, quoted the activists nationally. The response has been and panels to the public. This was the result had published proposals for new pes- duce the chances of this in future, by whole of Section 2 at him. Why? Because it remarkable by any standards. Liberals of another Liberal initiative, but the ruling ticide legislation in the UK which exposing the date in full public scru- is a "confidential and sensitive issue" , have initiated discussion of the 1984 Labour Group have now reversed that (Judith Cook) would have reinforced present secre- tiny. Campaign with council motions or ques- decision, and have banned Liberal council- cy arrangements. tions on thefollowing Councils: Wakefield lors from subcommittees where there is a The case for Britain to follow suit MDC, Guildford BC, Wandsworth LBC, good legal justification for them to attend. Four major developments this year - now that much of the data will in As an example of the absurdity of some Bristol City Council, Rushmoor DC, Nor- (David Vasmer, Campaigns and have already demonstrated the Min- any case be publicly available in the secrecy, you may like to know that the 30- folk CC, Southampton City Council, Information Officer, Association of Lib- istry's isolated position on pesticides US - has become overwhelming. year rule applies to the files of the Charity Hackney LBC, Yeovil DC, Bournemouth eral Council/ors) , secrecy. Maurice Frankel The harmful and wasteful effects of 'The Committee's conclusions confidence'. Supplementary bene- on capital employed), and can raise wider audience' . secrecy are documented in a power- (though partly leaked), were not fits officials who use the information their prices if profits drop. However, the New Statesman has ful critique of 'the regulation, pro- made public by the government for a to investigate suspected over- An investigation by The Guardian reported that 'senior DHSS civil motion and prescribing of drugs in year, and were probably never meant payments are told to 'take special in July showed that several of the servants have been horrified by the the UK. In The Wrong Kind oj to be published at all. The fact that care to say nothing about the source 'unprofitable' companies who had stark portrayal of the attitudes of Medicine? (Consumers Association, the Committee was convened and of information that first caused been allowed to increase prices of many benefits officers, expressed in £3,95) Charles Medawar describes met in secret, did not invite evidence suspicion' , individual products by more than forceful--vernacular ... often giving how 'secrecy about drug defects, from outside bodies, and did not More illegal advice was found in a 20% were in fact subsidiaries of the impression that they regard' prices and costs, professional neg- publish or cite the evidence on which Home Office circular to immigration highly profitable foreign-owned claimants as a nuisance and that they ligence, drug licensing and control, its conclusions were based underlines officials, which instructed them to multinationals. see their job as, being to prevent and government action or inaction the primitive and precarious state refuse people who were barred from This raises the possibility that the access to benefits ... DHSS manda- all tend to encourage uncritical drug our democracy is in.' entering the country on security UK subsidiaries may be deliberately rins have taken fright at unvarnished use.' This, he says, 'reflects the view grounds the right to make a phone keeping their profits low by trans- quotations of racist and anti-semitic that people cannot control their own. In two recent examples, leaked call before being turned back. This ferring their earnings to their parent prejudices ... They have so far suc- health; and may not question how it confidential government circulars conflicts directly with published companies overseas. The Health ceeded in stalling publication while is controlled on their behalf'. have been found to contain illegal rules which state that all passengers Minister recently commissioned a negotiating with PSI to produce a The book contains a unique guide instructions to officials. refused entry should be able to report into such 'transfer pricing' - "more balanced" version'. to more than 800 ineffective or over- expensive drugs available in the UK. A British engineering company It concludes that only drugs of which illegally exported arms-mak- proven safety, effectiveness and va- ing equipment to South Africa was lue-for-money compared to others Secret Facts allowed to escape prosecution after available should De licensed - and the individuals and companies con- that this would produce major sav- A secret DHSS manual obtained telephone friends or representatives. but has now refused to publish the cerned agreed to pay a secret penalty ings for the NHS drugs bill. by the Legal Action Group instruc- The offending instructions were results. of £193,000. The response to this idea in the past ted legal aid officers to break the law suspended or withdrawn following The firm, Redman Heenan, se- illustrates how secrecy can obstruct by passing information given in publicity, but other secret instruc- The DHSS has obstructed the cretly supplied equipmen~ for mak- rational decision-making. In 1983, confidence by people applying for' tions remain in force. publication of part of a detailed ing ammunition, although it had an official committee rejected the legal aid on to other officials. study of the supplementary benefits been refused an export licence in proposal partly because it thought The confidential 'L Code' rec- The Health Minister, Kenneth system which it commissioned from 1974. This April The Observer re- doctors would see it as an infringe- ognises that passing such in- Clark, has refused to publish a report the Policy Studies Institute. vealed that although the Customs ment of their clinical freedom. The formation on is illegal - the Legal which is believed to show that drug Most of the report was published department later learnt of the trans- weight given to this view may be Aid Act specifically forbids it - but firms are able to make excessive earlier this year, but the introduction action, they decided to accept secret explained bythefactthat 11of the 12 nevertheless tells officers to pass profits from the NHS, stated that the department had penalty payments instead of pros- committee members were themsel ves information to DHSS benefits of- Under the Pharmaceutical Price 'asked for an opportunity to discuss ecuting because the company 'was doctors. ficers if any overpayment of benefit , Regulation Scheme, drug manufac- the draft (of the remainder) both concerned about the bad publicity But it was the way the decision was is suspected. At the same time it tells turers are allowed to charge the NHS with management and staff, and 'which would accompany a court reached that was most significant. them to 'Assure the applicant that prices that will guarantee them a with the researchers, before the case'. According to Charles Medawar: the information will be treated in fixed level of profits (cu.rrently 21% findings are made available to a The Campaign for Freedom of Information

.2 Northdown Street, London N1 9BG Tel: 01-278 9686

Supporting Organisations Council for Freedom of Information All-Party Parliamentary Advisory Committee National Council of National Graphical (The Policy-making forum for the campaign) Jonathan Aitken (Con), Jeff Rooker (Lab) Dafydd Wigley (Plaid Voluntary Organisations Association James Cornford (Chair) James Michael Sir Bernard Braine (Con) Robert Kilroy-Silk (Lab) Cymru) Town and Country Iron and Steel Trades Des Wilson Patricia Hewitt Robin Squire (Con) Michael Meadowcroft Donald Steward (SNP) Planning Association Confederation Lord Morris Martin Smith Charles Irving (Con) (Lib) Allan Roberts (Lab) Advisory Centre for One-to-One Lord Avebury Ron Bailey Robert Maclennan (SDP) Clement Freud (Lib) Chris Smith (Lab) Education Campaign for the Mentally Bernard Donoughue Vincent Hanna Ian Wrigglesworth (SDP) . The Patients' Association Handicapped Harold Evans Peter Gibson The NatiOnal Union of National Union of Students Christopher Price Jenny Kuper Panel of former Civil Servants advising the Campaign Journalists Writers' Guild of Great Dame Elizabeth Ackroyd W H P Whatley Sir Douglas Wass (Chair) Sir Kenneth Clucas Michael Power Community Rights Project Britain Peter Jay Alex Henney Lord Croham Sir Patrick Nairne Barbara Sloman Legal Action Group Cancer Prevention Society David Hall Julie Kaufman Friends of the Earth National Union of Public Godfrey Bradman James Tye International Advisers MIND Employees Neil McIntosh Dave Higgs Ralph Nader (USA) Sir Guy Powles Senator Alan Missen SOGAT '82 Civil and Public Services William Bingley Andy Whyte Harold Relyea (USA) (New Zealand) (Australia) Transport 2000 Association The Bishop of Birmingham Tom Berney Lars Broch (Netherlands) Shelter Society of Civil and Public Leslie Chapman Arthur Ormond BUAV Servants Ronald Lacey Mary McAnally Scottish Advisory Panel CLEAR Institution of Professional Kim Stallwood Suzanne Palfreyman Peter Gibson David Goldberg , Donald McPhillimy Social Audit Civil Servants Charles Medawar George Cunningham Campaign for Press and Library Association John Wright Valerie Ellis Broadcasting Freedom National and Local Geraldine Van Bueren Alan Healey House of Lords British Safety Council Government Officers Esther Rantzen Margaret Jeffrey The follOwing Peers have indicated they "broadly support the campaign Fire Brigades Union Association Liz Davies Simon Higman for measures to secure for all citizens access to information that they John Winward Faith Lawson have a right and need to know, and measures to encourage greater Observer Organisations Jo Roll Sarah Cawthra National Consumer Council National Council for the Ralph Jackson Christine Horton disclosure of such information": Consumers' Association Welfare of Prisoners David Baldock Nancy Tait Earl Amherst Lord Gardiner Lord Molloy The National Gas Abroad Lord Ardwick Lord Gifford Lord Morris Consumers' Council Guild of British Newspaper Lord Ashby Lord Hatch Lord Perry National Council for Civil Editors ,The Committee for Freedom of Information Lord Avebury Lord Hutchinson Lord Pitt Liberties Church of England Board Lord Banks Lord Hylton Lord Plant The Children's Legal Centre of Social Responsibility (The Campaign management committee) Des Wilson (Chair) Ron Lacey Lord Beaumont Lord Jacobson Lord Ritchie Child Poverty Action Prison Reform Trust Baroness Birk Lord Jenkins Baroness Robson Group London Passenger James Cornford Neil McIntosh James Michael Tony Smythe ' Lord Briginshaw Lord Kaldor Lord Scanlon Gingerbread Transport Committee Earl of Shrewsbury Ron Bailey Christopher Price Lord Brockway Lord Kirkhill National Federation of Self- ,National Energy Efficiency Lord Chitnis Earl Kitchener Baroness Stedman Employed and Small Forum Charles Medawar Martin Smith David Hall Jacob Ecclestone The Earl ·of Cromartie Bishop of Lincoln Lord Stoddart Businesses Entertainment Trades Lord Taylor of Gryfe Margaret Hyde Lord Darling Baroness Lockwood Earth Resources Research Alliance Lord Darwen Lord Lovell-Davis Lord Tordoff Scottish Consumer Council British Youth Council Baroness David Lord McCluskey Lord Willis Friends of the Earth First Division Association Viscount Devonport Lord McIntosh Lord Wilson (Scotland) of Civil Servants Lord Ennals Lord McNair Lord Winchilsea USDAW National Federation of Full-time campaigner Lord Evans Lord Melchett Lord Winstanley National Peace Council Women's Institutes Maurice Frankel Lady Ewar.t-Biggs Viscount Melville Earl of Gosford

Members of Parliament John Evans MP Doug Hoyle MP Allen McKay MP T. Patchett MP Cyril Smith MP The following Members of Parliament have stated that they "broadly Andrew Faulds MP Peter Hubbard-Miles MP William McKelvey MP 'Tom,Pendry MP Peter Snape MP support the campaign for measures to secure for all citizens access to Frank Field MP Roy Hughes MP Robert Maclennan MP David Penhaligon MP Clive Soley MP information that they have a right and need to know, and measures to Mark Fisher MP Sean Hughes MP Kevin McNamara MP Peter Pike MP Robin Squire MP Martin Flannery MP Simon Hughes MP Bob McTaggart MP Ray Powell MP David Steel MP encourage greater disclosure of such information": Janet Fookes MP Charles Irving MP John D, McWilliam MP John Prescott MP Donald Stewert MP Leo Abse MP Sir Bernard Braine MP Robin Cook MP George Foulkes MP Greville Janner MP Max Madden MP Giles Radice MP Gavin Strang MP Jonathan Aitken MP Gordon Brown MP Robin Corbett MP Derek Foster MP Roy Jenkins MP Dr. John Marek MP Martin Redmond MP Jack Straw MP David Alton MP Robert C. Brown MP Jeremy Corbyn MP John Fraser MP Russell Johnston MP David Marshall MP J 0 Richardson MP Dr. Roger Thomas MP Peter Archer MP Ron Brown MP Harry Cowans MP Clement Freud MP Barry Jones MP John Maxton MP Allan Roberts MP Jack Thompson MP Paddy Ashdown MP Malcolm Bruce MP Tom Cox MP William Garnett MP Charles Kennedy MP Joan Maynard MP Ernie Roberts MP Stan Thorne MP Jack Ashley MP Norman Buchan MP Stan Crowther MP Bruce George MP Robert Kilroy-Silk MP Michael Meacher MP George Robertson MP Richard Wainwright MP Joe Ashton MP Richard Caborn MP Lawrence Cunliffe MP ,Dr. John Gilbert MP Neil Kinnock MP Michael Meadowcroft John Home Robertson Jim Wallace MP Tony Banks MP James Callaghan MP Dr. John Cunningham Dr. N ,A. Godman MP Archy Kirkwood MP MP MP Robert Wareing MP Guy Barnett MP Dale Campbell-Savours MP Bryan Gould MP David Knox MP Bill Michie MP Geoffrey Robinson MP Kenneth Warren MP Margaret Beckett MP MP Ron Davies MP James Hamilton MP David Lambie MP Ian Mikardo MP Allan Rogers MP Ken Weetch MP Alan Beith MP Dennis Canavan MP Terry Davis MP Peter Hardy MP James Lamond MP Austin Mitchell MP Jeff Rooker MP Dafydd Wigley MP Andrew Bennett MP Alex Carlisle MP Eric Deakins MP Harriet Harman MP Ron Leighton MP Alfred Morris MP Stephen Ross MP Alan Williams MP Gerry Bermingham MP Lewis Carter-Jones MP Jack Dormand MP Robert Harvey MP Robert Litherland MP Dave Nellist MP Peter Rost MP [an Wigglesworth MP Sydney Bidwell MP John Cartwright MP Alf Dubs MP Roy Hattersley MP Tony Lloyd MP Dr. David Owen MP Robert Sheldon MP David Young MP Betty Boothroyd MP Dr David Clark MP Alexander Eadie MP Eric Heffer MP Hugh McCartney MP Rev. Ian Paisley, MP Richard Shepherd MP Andrew Bowden MP Bob Clay MP Ken Eastham MP Norman Hogg MP Oonagh McDonald MP George Park MP Peter Shore MP Roland Boyes MP Harry Cohen MP Bob Edwards MP Geraint Howells MP Michael McGuire MP Bob Parry MP Chris Smith MP

Community Projects Natcolcibar Westminster Merchant Navy & Airline Health Barrow in Furness CLP Walsall South CLP AHiliates Foundation Newcastle upon Tyne CVS CPSA Dept of Employment Officers Assoc, NUPE Northampton Battersea CLP Wanstead & Woodford Concord Films Council Northampton Welfare CPSA Beds, & N. Herts, NALGO Winchester Health NUPE North Dorset LG Birmingham Edgbaston CLP Disability Alliance Rights Unit CPSA DHSS Blyth Service NUPE Norwich District CLP Waveney CLP Voluntary Eastleigh Friends of Northern Ireland Council of CPSA DHSS Blackburn National Assoc. of NUPE Redbridge General Bow& Poplar CLP Witney & District CLP Organisations Handicapped Social Services Area Governors & Managers NUPE Sheffield BeverleyCLP Wolverhampton SW CLP, East Lindsey MIND North Lewisham Law CPSA D'HSSDunstable - Inner London Branch NUPE Tameside LG Birkenhead CLP Worthing CLP Elfrida Rathbone Centre CPSA DHSS Handsworth Newcastle Graphical NUPE Warrington General Camarthen & District CLP Ynys Mon CLP Islington/Camden North Tyneside CVS CPSA DHSS Hull Society POEU Birmingham Drivers Cardiff West CLP 'Advice Centre in the Blue Exeter CND North West Coastal CPSA DHSS Midlands NGA Liverpool POEU Ipswich Chelmsford CLP Liberal Animal Aid Family Advice Centre Federation CPSA DHSS Oxford NGA Mid Anglia Portsmouth Polytechnic Chipping Barnett CLP Animal Rights in Maidstone Family Rights Group Norwich & District CND CPSA Bonds & Stocks NGA North Wales & Students Union Deptford CLP Associations/SDP Arun Friends of the Earth FOE Birmingham Ore-Zodiac Community Office Border Counties Scottish Graphical Society Dewsbury CLP Bridlington & Holderness Association of Assistant FOE Godalming & .Assoc:, CPSA Boscombe Down NGA Solent SCPS BSO Newport Doncaster CLP Lib. Assoc. Librarians Guildford RlVerpomt(Smgle CPSA Strathclyde NW NGA Watford SCPS Customs & Excise .Dudley East CLP Camborne/Redruth SDP Association of Community FOE Loughborough Homeless) CPSA DHSS Doncaster NGA Norwich & District Middlesbrough Dulwich CLP Cambridge City Lib. Assoc, Workers in the UK FOE North Herts, Slough FoE, CPSA Gosport MOD NUJ Bath SCPS Customs & Excise Eastleigh CLP , Crosby Lib, Assoc. Association of Liberal Greater Manchester Play South Headmgly CPSA Ruthin NUr Bolton Reading Ellesmere Port & Nestan Dewsbury Const Lib, Councillors Resource.Unit Communi~yAssoc, CPSA British Library NUJ Bournemouth SCPS DE Lanarkshire CLP Assoc, Aureborough TUC Hammersmith & Fulham South Tyneslde Peace Lending Division NUJ Bristol SCPS DHSS HQ Central Elmet CLP Durham Const Lib, Assoc, Unemployed Advice MIND CouncLI CPSA British Telecom NUJ Brussels No 2 Faversham CLP Earlsfield Lib, Assoc. Centre Harehills & Chapeltown Southmead CHC London SW NUJ Cambridge SCPS DHSS Kent Gedling CLP East Twickenham Lib, Aylesbury Animal Rights Law Centre Southwark Unemployed CPSA Cleveland NUJ Canterbury SCPS DHSS North Glasgow Govan CLP Assoc. Group Heart of Bromley Residents Centre, CPSA DHSS Devonport NUJ Central London Merseyside Hallam CLP Eddisbury Const Lib. Barking & Dagenham Link Assoc. Star Walk-m Centre CPSA North Surrey NUJ Cumberland West SCPS DHSS South London Harwich CLP Assoc. Belfast Law Centre Hillingdon Trades Council Stratfordl Avon FoE CPSA Merthyr Tydfil NUJ Cumbria SCPS DHSS Thames Hazel Grove CLP Hallam Division Lib, BenwellCommunity Law Hull Community Press Sunderland Youth CPSA DoE Merseyside NUJ Dorset SCPS DHSS West Pennine Hemsworth CLP Assoc. Centre Assoc, Employment Project CPSA DHSS SW Scotland NUJ Exeter & District SCPS LCD Headquarters Hertford Stortford CLP Harborough Lib, Assoc, Birmingham Diocesan Hull CVS Sutto~ & Distric,tTrade CPSA DTl Midlands NUJ Fife SCPS NHS Audit High Peak CLP Ipwich Lib, Assoc, Council for Social Iris ServicesCo-operative Umon CouncIl Resource CPSA DULC NUJ Hampshire SCPS UKAEA Risley Hornchurch CLP Islington South & Finsbury Responsibility Islington MIND Centre CPSA HN Customs & NUJ Milton Keynes SOGAT ATAES Hyndburn CLP Lib, Assoc. Birmingham TU Resourse Islington Voluntary Action Totten,ham Community Excise Leeds NUJ Paris SOGAT Edinburgh & Forth Leeds West CLP Leyton & Leytonstane Lib, Centre Council Project CPSA HMSO Manchester .NUJ Parliamentary District Littleborough/Saddle- Assoc, Black Insight Community Joint Council for Welfare Tyneside Anim,alRights CPSA Kensington NUJ Peterborough SOGAT Glasgow & West of worth CLP Mole Valley Lib, Assoc. Organisation of Immigrants Walworth ~dvlce & Computer Centre NUJ Press & Public Scotland Livingston CLP Northavon Lib, Assoc, Blackfriars Advice Centre KnowsleyMental Health Commumty Work CPSA Newcastle 3 Relations SOGAT London CA & EP Manchester Gorton CLP North Westminster Lib, Bradford Resource Centre Assoc. Project CPSA Merseyside HQ NUJ St Helens SOGAT Humberside Monmouth CLP Assoc. Brent Voluntary Service Lawyers for Nuclear We~tEnd Co-ord Serv, for CPSA Leics.lNorthants, NUJ Surrey Magazine SOGAT Leicester& District NewcastleEast CLP Norwich (South) Lib, Council Disarmament Smgle Homeless DE NUJ Walsall SOGAT Mid & South Kent North Cornwall CLP Assoc. Bristol Council for Leeds Trade Union & West Glamorgan CPSA MOD Portsmouth NUJ West Suffolk SOGAT Midland Counties North Durham CLP Norwood Lib. Assoc, Voluntary Service Community Resource & Comm,uniryService CPSA DHSS Slough NUJ West London SOGAT Newton-Ie- North West Surrey CLP Peckham Lib. Assoc, Brixton Action Group Information Centre CouncIl CPSA Lancaster Posts & NUPE Airdrie Willows & District Ribble Valley CLP Penrith & The Borders Lib, Brunei University Students Leigh & District Welfare Wolverhampton Federation Telecoms NUPE Southwell SOGAT Sawston Richmond CLP Assoc, Union Rights Group of CO~I?!-mity CPSA Manchester Airport NUPE Central London Sunderland Graphical St Helens North CLP Reading East Lib. Assoc, Camberley & District London Amenity & OrgamsatlOns CAA Polytechnic Society Shetland CLP Reigate Lib. Assoc. Animal Rights Group Transport Assoc, Woodhouse Park & Moss CPSA MOD Stanmore NUPE Crawley New Town Torbay & District Graphical Sidcup CLP St Helens Lib, Assoc, Cambridge Campaign for Manchester Association for Nook Community Assoc, CPSA ODA (London) NUPE Dundee District Society South Colchester & Haldon Sheen Lib, Assoc, Nuclear Disarmament Mental Health Youth Development Trust CPSA Portsmouth GMO Hospitals Universityof York Students CLP Southend West Lib. & Camden CAB Manchester Gay Centre CPSA South Lancashire NUPE Enfield General Union South-East Staffordshire Radical Assoc, Centre for Alternative Manchester Youth & Trade Union CPSA Nottingham GMO NUPE Glasgow LA YeovilGraphical Society CLP South Hams Lib, Assoc, Technology Community Service Dunstable Graphical NUPE Huntingdon South Reddish CLP Truro Constituency Lib. Clyde Action Manor Community Centre Branches Society NUPE loW South Thanet CLP Assoc, Community Computing Medical Campaign Against ASTMS Burnley ISTC Elmdon Stainless NUPE Leicester Labour Party Spelthorne CLP Union of Liberal Students Network Nuclear Weapons ASTMS Education Leeds Graphical Society NUPE Newcastle upon B h Stoke North CLP Wanstead & Woodford Lib, Community Council of Milton Keynes Welfare COHSE-517 Fulbourne Manchester Graphical Tyne LA ranc es Swindon CLP Assoc. Humberside Rights Group CPSA DOE/DTP Society NUPE West Swansea Attercliffe CLP Tyne Bridge CL,P Woodspring Lib, Assoc, The definitive book on secrecy in Britain 1984

Just published, The Secrets File is the definitive book on secrecy in Britain flle case for freedOlJJ in 1984. It is edited and half of its chapters are written by Des Wilson, chairman of the Campaign for Freedom of Information. of illfol'DJation Other contributors are ... • anti-secrecy campaigner Maurice Frankel, on environmental secrecy .iJJ Britain tOday and access to personal files • local authority campaigner Ron Bailey on secrecy in the Town Hall • international expert James Michael on freedom of information in other countries. This powerfully-written book explores the full extent of secrecy in Britain, the unacceptable nature of Section 2 of the Official Secrets Act, and the need for freedom of information legislation. It is a must for all who want to be briefed on this vital issue. Order it directly from the campaign

You can help the campaign financially by ordering the book direct from 2 Northdown Street, London NI9BG. Address your order to: Campaign for FoI (Book Offer) and send the paperback price of £4.95 and your name and address. It will be sent to you post-free. ., Become a campaign supporter

There are many ways whereby you can help the Campaign To: The Campaign for Freedom of Information for Freedom of Information, but the main one is with money 2 Northdown Street, London N1 9BG Tel: 01 278 9686 I and a declaration of support. l/We (indiviqual or organisation) No matter how small your organisation, we would be of _ pleased if you would affiliate. I We would also welcome individual supporters/subscribers to our print material. ______(address) Affiliate membership (for organisations) is £7.50 per annum I and enables you to financially assist our campaign; and in . turn to receive regular news of our work. If your organisation, D Enclose a cheque for.£ for the Campaign for branch, committee, or whatever, is not already an affiliate, Freedom of Information I we hope you will persuade it to become one, and use the D Would like to be an affiliate organisation and enclose a form on the right, cheque for £7.50 If you .are. an individual supporter yo~ can subscribe t? D Would like to be a subscriber/supporter and enclose a I our publIcatIOns and thus become well-Informed on the Issue cheque for £7.50 to cover this and share the facts with others. The publication/supporter D or subscription is £7.50 per annum, have added £7,50 to my donation to cover this I In addition to this, do write to your MP and let him or her .know that you would like to see parliamentary ac~ion on D Can hel locall the Issue. p y If you live in London, you could offer voluntary help in D I our office - all the usual chores but they have to be done. Will help at your London office I Above all, we need more knowledge of secrecy. If you know of information being unnecessarily withheld, or can D Have special expertise or knowledge to offer - please I I tell us of excessive secrecy, or can even slip us a secret or get in touch. two, please be in touch. In the meantime, please fill in the (Tick appropriate box) I attached coupon while it is on your mind and post it today. I Thank you. All cheques should be made payable to: The Campaign for ~~------~~-----~Freedom of Information.