asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date he received a communication from the Trades Union Congress together with a memorandum on a Freedom of Information Bill; when he replied; what was the nature of the reply; whether the Government now have any proposals to introduce such a Bill; and if he will make a statement.

I received on 28 April a letter dated 24 April from the general secretary of the Trade Union Congress with a memorandum about freedom of information. I replied today explaining that the Government remain of the view expressed by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Civil Service Department, on 20 June—[Vol. 968, c. 1315.]—that legislation to provide a public right of access to official information would not be appropriate.