Q46.
asked the Prime Minister what progress has been made towards more open government in the last 12 months; and what further plans he has in mind to expedite the process.
Within the last 12 months, Government Departments have received and implemented formal guidance based on the principles outlined in my statement in the debate on the Address on 24th November 1976. Although no central record is kept, sample inquiries of Departments have shown that the guidance has had an encouraging effect on the amount of material made publicly available. Illustrative details are given below. At present the Government have no plans to introduce further measures.
Department and Item
Department of the Environment
Department of the Environment ( Property Services Agency)
"Cost in use implications of capital investment in buildings"—two articles published in "DOE Construction".
DHSS
Home Office
Inland Revenue
Lord Chancellor's Department
Eextended statistical information in Law Society Annual Report on operation and finance of the Legal Aid Act 1974.
Northern Ireland Office
Ministry of Overseas Development
Department of Transport
Scottish Office
Planning
(16) Land Use Summary Sheets dealing with some of the major land uses in Scotland.
(17) Planning Advice Notes dealing with various aspects of the development of planning systems.
(18) Oil, Gas and Petrochemicals Planning Information Notes Bulletin: development plan progress in Scotland, issued quarterly, first issue September 1977.
Welsh Office
New Welsh Office Statistical Series
MAFF
Review of the UK Horticultural Industry.
Cabinet Office
Survey of the Export Intelligence Services.
DES.
Department of Trade
Treasury