To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will bring forward proposals to bring (a) London councils, (b) regional assemblies and (c) the Local Government Association within the terms of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 as public authorities. (192190)

London local authorities including the Common Council of the City of London are already covered by the Freedom of Information Act and listed in Part II of Schedule 1.

The Government announced last year that Regional Assemblies in their current form and function would not continue. Their regional planning functions will in due course be transferred to the Regional Development Agencies, which are already public authorities within the meaning of the Freedom of Information Act.

The Local Government Association is not currently subject to the Act. The Government have just concluded a consultation on whether to extend coverage to organisations that carry out public functions and are not currently subject to the Act. The Government aim to publish its response to this consultation in May 2008.